The Applicability of Ergonomics in the Development of Clothing for Bodies in Transformation

Abstract

This study presents the applicability of ergonomics in clothing for bodies in transformation, namely for elderly women aged 65 and over. The proposal focused on an audience that deserves attention with regard to a design product for everyday use, namely clothing that is suitable for a new physical constitution. The purpose of this article is to present the ergonomic, technical and aesthetic factors, considering the physical, psychological and social needs of this target group, for the development of clothing products. Considering the identified needs, materials and methods were suggested for the development of models with specific particularities, appropriate to the real condition of these elderly women. In addition to the bibliographic research carried out, specific methods were used to collect anthropometric measurements, surveys were implemented, and direct observation was also carried out with the target group. The results obtained demonstrated that the methods and techniques applied in the development of a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing clothing were effective, having been observed that the ergonomic variable of comfort was the one that most impacted at the time of the product development process. It was possible to conclude that the complete assessment of body transformation contributed significantly to the development of clothing with characteristics of comfort and protection that respond to the needs of this segment of the population.