Abstract
To investigate the changes in hand morphology among young females, researchers employed 3D hand scanning to perform anthropometric measurement of 111 Chinese young women (20–26 years), enabling hand morphology classification for ergonomic applications. A total of 32 hand parts were measured and analyzed based on these models. The findings reveal that variables describing hand morphology are predominantly categorized into four types: finger width, finger circumference, finger length, and hand length. The typical indicators reflecting hand morphological characteristics include hand length, middle finger width, proximal circumference of the index finger, and ring finger length. Results revealed five distinct hand types: short/thin, short/wide, standard, long/thin, and long/wide. Compared to current national standards in China (GB/T 16252 − 1996), modern hand morphology showed significant increases in hand length (+ 3.3%) and metacarpal breadth (+ 8.3%). We propose a novel sizing system (5-size-5-fit) with 180/86 as the predominant type, optimized for ergonomic glove design. This study provides critical data references for the industrial design of hand appliances, while also offering potential implications for ergonomics and hand injury prevention.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Data is provided within the manuscript or supplementary information files.
Abbreviations
- S–W test:
-
Shapiro–Wilk test
- K–S test:
-
Kolmogorov–Smirnov test
- Q–Q plots:
-
Quantile–Quantile plots
- DF:
-
Degree of freedom
- ANOVA:
-
Analysis of variance
- MANOVA:
-
Multivariate analyses
- MSB:
-
Mean squared between
- MSE:
-
Mean squared error
References
Wang, H. X. The segmentation and classification model of female body shape based on three-dimensional body measurement data [Master’s thesis, Soochow University] (2021).
Liu, Y. Research on human grasp movement analysis and the postural synergy anthropomorphic hand [Master’s thesis, Harbin Institute of Technology] (2018).
Li, X. J. & Zhu, G. Z. Establishment of grey models of human bust. J. Text. Res. 26(5), 77–79 (2005).
Zhu, G. Z. Research on non-contact anthropometric system based on grey system theory [Master’s thesis, Tianjin Polytechinc University] (2005).
Huang, X. Y. & Yang, G. Important human body size prediction based on 3D scanning. J. Beijing Inst. Fashion Technol. (Nat. Sci. Edi.) 41(3), 54–59 (2021).
Xia, M. Shape analysis of female body using elliptical Fourier and block pattern customization [Master’s thesis, Donghua University] (2015).
Jin, J. F., Sun, J., Ni, S. M. & Zou, F. Y. Research on subdividing of young female’s hip shapes based on 3D body measurement. J. Text. Res. 34(9), 108–112 (2013).
Shi, X. Q. The study of Jiangsu and Zhejiang young females’ hip part of body based on the 3D body measurement [Master’s thesis, Jiangnan University] (2015).
Huang, C. Y. Analysis of the morphological characteristics of human neck based on the design of garment collar. Melliand China. 36 (12), 64, 66–68 (2008).
Huang, C. Y. & Cui, L. N. The subdivision of men’s neck shape based on 3-dimensional anthropometry. Apparel Technol. 26(2), 94–95 (2008).
Wang, S. S. & Wang, H. B. Neck morphology research of on-the-job young men in Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas by means of three-dimensional anthropometry. J. Text. Res. 34(10), 131–136 (2013).
Zhang, J. H. & Wang, H. F. Study of women’s shoulder based on 3D body measurement. J. Text. Res. 32(5), 95–97 (2011).
Chang, L. X., Zhang, X. & Qi, J. Research on subdividing of female breast shapes based on 3D body measurement. J. Text. Res. 27(12), 21–24 (2006).
Qian, L. L. Body classification of middle-aged and old women in Jiangsu and Zhejiang area based on 3D human body measurement [Master’s thesis, Jiangnan University] (2014).
Wang, P. & Zhang, X. Body shape characteristics of young women in southern Jiangsu Province based on 3D body measurement. J. Xi’an Polytech. Univ. 26(39), 313–316 (2012).
Zhang, N. & Wang, H. F. Body size classification of female models in Jiangsu-Zhejiang based on 3D body measurement. J. Text. Res. 33 (6), 71–75 (2012).
Zhang, X. The study of Jiangsu and Zhejiang young female’s lower part of body based on the 3D body measurement [Master’s thesis, Jiangnan University] (2012).
Choi, Y. L. & Nam, Y. J. Classification of upper lateral body shapes for the apparel industry. Hum. Factors Ergon. Manuf. Serv. Ind. 20 (5), 378–390 (2010).
Park, J. W., Park, K., Lee, B., You, H. C. & Yang, C. Classification of upper body shapes among Korean male wheelchair users to improve clothing fit. Assist. Technol. 31 (1), 34–43 (2019).
Fan, D. Y., Ma, X. M. & Wang, L. J. Classification and sizing optimization of young male hand shapes in Zhejiang based on cluster analysis. Silk 58 (2), 53–58 (2021).
Chen, Q., Wang, H. & Liu, K. Anthropometric Hand Dimensions of Chinese Adults Using Three-Dimensional Scanning Technique. In Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 13322 LNCS, 377–387 (Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2022).
Fan, D. Y., Ma, X. M. & Wang, L. J. Hand shape classification and size optimization for young men in Zhejiang based on cluster analysis. J. Silk. 58 (2), 53–58 (2021).
Shi, S. N. & Wang, L. J. Body shape analysis of primary school girls in Jinhua area of Zhejiang. Wool. Text. J. 46 (8), 57–60 (2018).
Fan, D. Y. The morphological characteristics of young women’s hands and the basic template of fitted gloves in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions [Master’s thesis, Zhejiang Sci-tech University] (2022).
Han, H. S. & Park, C. K. Automatic hand measurement system from 2D hand image for customized glove production. Fashion Text. Res. J. 18 (4), 468–476 (2016).
China Institute of Standardization and Information Classification and Coding. Adult hand size standard (Standard No. GB/T 16252 – 1996) (The State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, 1996).
Li, H., Jin, H. Y. & Qian, H. Hand size measurement based on colour image. Electron. World. 41 (21), 96–99 (2020).
Fan, D. Y. A study on hand morphological characteristics and fitted glove block pattern for young females in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions [Master’s thesis, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University] (2022).
Xia, S. B., Guo, S. M., Li, J. Y. & Istook, C. Comparison of different body measurement techniques: 3D stationary scanner, 3D handheld scanner, and tape measurement. J. Text. Inst. 110 (8), 1103–1113 (2019).
Kouchi, M. et al. A protocol for evaluating the accuracy of 3D body scanners. Work 41 (1), 4010–4017 (2012).
Imrhan, S. N., Sarder, M. D. & Mandahawi, N. Hand anthropometry in Bangladeshis living in America and comparisons with other populations. Ergonomics 25 (8), 987–998 (2009).
Zhao, C. Y. & Fan, S. Q. Measurement of fingers. Progress Anat. Sci. 8 (3), 222–224 (2002).
Huo, S. J., Fan, S. Q. & Zhao, C. Y. Measurement of fingers’ width and length of every segment in human. Progress Anat. Sci. 9 (4), 326–328 (2003).
Zhou, X. & Li, G. T. Hands type measurement and application of Chinese minors. Shanghai Text. Sci. Technol. 38 (9), 9–11 (2010).
Ran, L. H. et al. Hand sizing system of Chinese minors (Standard No. GB/T 26159 – 2010). General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (2011).
Zheng, L. B. et al. Study of pollical type, palmar digital, formula, hand clasping, arm folding and handedness in han, hui and mongol nationalities. Hereditas (Beijing). 20 (4), 12–17 (1998).
Peng, G. S., Fan, X. Y., Liu, X. Y. & Wang, L. Z. Design and control of a flexible wearable rehabilitation glove. J. Med. Biomech. 34(6), 7 (2019).
Hao, X. F. & Xiao, H. Y. Optimal design of medical protective clothing structure. Text. Rep. 39 (8), 2 (2020).
Li, L., Cherouat, A., Snoussi, H. & Wang, T. Grasping with occlusion-aware ally method in complex scenes. IEEE Trans. Autom. Sci. Eng. 22, 5944–5954 (2025).
Wang, T. et al. ResLNet: Deep residual LSTM network with longer input for action recognition. Front. Comput. Sci. 16(6), 1–9 (2022).
Lee, H., Hong, K. & Lee, Y. Ergonomic mapping of skin deformation in dynamic postures to provide fundamental data for functional design lines of outdoor pants. Fibers Polym. 14 (12), 2197–2201 (2013).
Lee, W. & You, H. C. Development of a 3D semi-automatic measurement protocol for hand anthropometric measurement. Ind. Eng. Interfaces 24(2), 105–111 (2011).
Kouchi, M. et al. A protocol for evaluating the accuracy of 3D body scanners. WORK: A J. Prev. Assess. Rehabil. 41(Suppl. 1), 4010–4017 (2012).
Chen, X. P., Hu, L. Y. & Zhao, C. Study on the constitution of young women’s pants specifications. Shanghai Text. Technol. 37(5), 4–6 (2009).
Acknowledgements
The authors extend sincere gratitude to all participants who dedicated their time and provided voluntary cooperation for the scanning procedures in this study.
Funding
This research was financially supported by the following funding agencies: The Major Projects of the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant Nos. 20KJA540001, 22KJA540001). The Emergency Management Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. YJGL-YF-2020-5). The Nantong Science and Technology Projects (Grant Nos. JB2022004, MS22021003). The Nantong Basic Science Research Project (Grant No. JC2021041).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Yanru Zhai: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing-original draft.Yongjie Bian: Data collection, Visualization, Writing-original draft.Yue Shen: Validation, Writing-review & editing.Xuefeng Yan: Methodology, Resources provision, Funding acquisition.Xiaoyan Li: Writing–review & editing, Supervision.
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
About this article
Cite this article
Zhai, Y., Bian, Y., Shen, Y. et al. 3D scan-based classification of Chinese young female hand morphology. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43547-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-43547-z
