Evaluation of the multivariate accommodation performance of the grid method

The present study examined the multivariate accommodation performance (MAP) of the grid method, a distributed representative human models (RHM) generation method, in the context of men’s pants sizing system design. Using the 1988 US Army male anthropometric data and ±2.5 cm of fitting tolerance, the grid method selected two key dimensions (waist girth and crotch height) out of 12 anthropometric dimensions and identified 25 RHMs to accommodate 95% of the population. The average MAP of the RHMs decreased dramatically as the number of anthropometric dimensions considered increased (99% for single dimension and 14% for 12 dimensions). A standardized regression model was established which explains the effects of two factors (sum of anthropometric dimension ranges; adjusted R2 between key dimensions and other anthropometric dimensions) on the MAP of RHMs. This regression model can be used to prioritize anthropometric dimensions for efficient MAP improvement of men’s pants design.