A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIATIONS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANGULI PRAMANA

Abstract

Anthropometry is the science of obtaining systematic measurements of the human body. Shareera Pramana (body measurements) can be determined by one’s own Anguli Pramana (width of the widest part of the thumb) in terms of height, breadth, and length. Anguli Pramana has been used in different aspects such as Acharya Susruta while describing Marma (vital points), Netra (eye), measurements of surgical instruments and Acharya Charaka in Pramana Pareeksha to determine Shareera Bala (Physical strength) and life span of the patient. The objectives of this study were to identify the measurements of the human body of an individual using Anguli Pramana and to evaluate the findings with measurements mentioned in Charaka Samhita. A total number of 109 adults including 11 males and 98 females belonging to ages 21-25 were selected. The breadth of the thumb on the widest place (Angushta Udara) of the right hand was measured and, the height, the length of the upper arm, forearm, hand, sole, circumference of the calf region, and head of the participants were recorded in Anguli Pramana. Data were analyzed, the mean value, median value, and standard deviation were taken and the results were evaluated with measurements mentioned in Charaka Samhita. The lowest Anguli Pramana was 1.1 cm and the highest was 2.2 cm. Findings showed wide variations of measurements within the sample and with the measurements in Charaka Samhita. Mean of the length of the hand was the closest measurement while the mean of the height showed the widest difference with measurements in Charaka Samhita. Further studies should be carried out using different measurements, sampling methods, and sizes to evaluate more findings.