Revolutionizing the Portable Stadiometer

A stadiometer is a mechanical tool that measures human height. It is most commonly used in the medical professions, where the growth of patients is routinely monitored. It consists of a fixed or expandable ascending scale and an adjustable head level (headpiece). The headpiece protrudes away from the scale at a 90-degree angle.

To obtain a height reading, a user must stand in close proximity to the scale, preferably with their heels together. The headpiece is then lowered onto the head. Height is determined by observing the point where the headpiece intersects with the scale.

The term "stadiometer" is synonymous with the following: height rod, height scale, height gauge, height meter, height ruler, length board, measuring board, and many other commercially marketed trade names.

Common stadiometer used for height measurements

Stadiometer Types and Features

Stadiometers have existed for many years but have gradually evolved to meet the changing needs of medical professionals. A simple ruler or tape measure can be used as a stadiometer.

There are versions that use magnetic or hook-and-loop indicators to assess height rather than a protruding, 90-degree headpiece. Similarly, a parent or teacher might record a child’s height by marking it on a wall/board to monitor growth and later measuring the distance with a tape measure or ruler.

Wall-mounted stadiometers are permanently affixed and thus immovable. Conversely, free-standing models can be either stationary or portable. Some variations measure height with the subject laying down (e.g., newborns).

Advanced devices are sometimes integrated with weight scales and body composition analyzers. You can even find electronic stadiometers with sensors and lasers, some of which are handheld, wand-like gadgets. Similarly, a handful of mobile apps can perform basic distance/height measuring by using a phone's camera function.

Stadiometer Manufacturing Materials

Stadiometers can also vary by material, which might include acrylic, aluminum, wood, steel, and plastic. Material selection for the purpose of manufacture is typically based on cost and function.

Acrylic might be preferred in instances of infant measuring because it is simple to disinfect. Stadiometers that require more rigidity and permanence would benefit from steel, aluminum, and wooden materials.

Plastic and aluminum are advantageous for a few reasons. These lightweight materials are cheaper to ship, and in comparison to others, are more affordable to manufacture in large batches. They can also be designed for portability and speed, whereby extruded sections can be quickly connected to form a lightweight but structurally rigid measuring device.

With so many options for stadiometers, what could possibly be missing from the market?

Conventional Stadiometer Limitations

Each stadiometer has its limitations and there is no all-encompassing solution for every scenario. It is rare for any portable stadiometer to measure above 6 ft 7 in (200 cm). Most are designed for people of average height and thus ill-equipped to handle outliers. This type of limitation also creates problems in research.

If a scientist wanted to investigate the relationship between athlete height and arm span, the measurement range of a standard stadiometer would be adequate for evaluating the majority of study participants. However, exceptionally tall athletes would need to be measured using a separate device or technique. As a result, data from the research study would be less reliable because not everyone was assessed using the same device.

Height of general population vs today's elite athletes

Stadiometer function presents another potential measuring constraint. In the case of high-end electronic models, how do they perform in the heat or direct sunlight? Virtually all digital stadiometers require calibration to verify accuracy of the sensors. But what happens if it rains? Are the sensors affected by winds or moving objects in the background? Do they require a power source?

Some portable stadiometers require the backing of a wall for additional stability. Despite being marketed as "portable," they are actually semi-portable and may not be reliable if erected on an open floor or outdoors.

Accuracy is important, and most stadiometers render fairly reliable height readings. For example, an elementary school teacher might use a book as a headpiece. While not intended for height measurement, the book serves its purpose of achieving measurements that are "close enough." But what if measurements need to be precise?

At the highest level of sports, anthropometry (human measurement) is a big deal. Precision is of particular importance because biometric data is compared to other variables and used as a predictor of athletic performance. Similarly, researchers require highly precise data to ensure the validity, reliability, and credibility of scientific findings. The greater the accuracy, the better.

The Need for Stadiometer Innovation

There is a growing demand for portable stadiometers with utility beyond just height measurements. As previously discussed, some have already been created to address various requirements, including cost, convenience, portability, and speed.

But still the issues remain: most portable stadiometers have limitations.

Some don't measure high enough. Some don't measure low enough. Few are built to survive the outdoors. Some are only semi-portable because they still require a wall for added support or mounting purposes.

On many stadiometers, the scales graduate every quarter inch (.63 cm). However, some applications require a higher degree of accuracy. Can the portable stadiometer be re-engineered to address these shortcomings?

Measuring the World

Currently, there are portable stadiometers on the market that meet most needs. But "most" is not inclusive of everyone or every situation. To highlight this issue, let's bring sports into focus once again.

Today's athletes are becoming increasingly taller. In fact, many would exceed the measuring capabilities of most stadiometers. It is not uncommon for volleyball or basketball players to tower above 7 ft (213 cm).

"That height rod at the doctor's office can't measure Wemby, bro."

With this in mind, a stadiometer made specifically for athletes would benefit from the following features:

• Capable of measuring everyone

• Easy and convenient setup

• Usability anywhere

• Capture other measurements

• Measure without assistance

• High degree of accuracy

• Mobile app support

Drastic design changes and novel enhancements are essential to revolutionizing the portable stadiometer.

"Athlete Stadiometer" Concept Drawing

Engineering a Portable Stadiometer on Steroids

A portable stadiometer for athletes would have utility, not only in sports but also across different fields such as healthcare, education, and research.

The perfect instrument would be able to measure 100% of the world's population, including those standing 8 ft (243 cm) or taller. A portable device with this range is virtually impossible to find.

If you study online videos involving height assessments, you will notice that many are facilitated with a tape measure affixed to a wall. In almost every instance, height measurements are performed indoors... presumably because it is challenging to set up a support wall in the middle of a floor or outdoor environment. Surely, something can be made that doesn't require a wall.

An enhanced stadiometer should be easy to set up but also durable enough for harsh weather. It must perform well in wind, heat, and rain.

Often, physical fitness tests take place concurrently with biometric tests. So the best scenario would allow all testing to be done in the same general area, rather than doing biometric testing indoors and sport performance testing outdoors. Therefore, the ideal stadiometer should be made to stand independently in open areas [where there is no wall].

A reimagined machine would also be able to capture at least one other measurement at the same time height is assessed. Large events such as sports camps, clinics, or tryouts might see as many as 100 or more participants. So a busy coaching staff would benefit from a stadiometer that not only captures height but at least one or two other measurements (e.g., human wingspan, hand span, body weight).

This consolidation of resources significantly enhances logistical efficiency by allowing several measurements to be performed from a single station. Furthermore, there is less equipment to set up and drag out to testing areas.

Now this is intriguing...

Artificial intelligence has essentially surpassed human intelligence, cars can now drive themselves, and houses can be 3D printed. Yet, most height and arm span measuring techniques require both a wall and the assistance of a second or even third person. So a key feature of a portable stadiometer for athletes is the ability for a single user to measure themselves without assistance.

Another related issue is that human measuring techniques are not universal. Health and fitness professionals rely on their own methods, many of which are inefficient or overly complex. This creates the potential for inaccuracies. A universal measuring device designed for anyone, anywhere, would be a game changer.

Earlier it was mentioned that height measurements only need to be fairly accurate to be considered acceptable. Height readings are usually rounded up or down to the nearest quarter or half inch primarily because they are easier for non-mathematically-gifted audiences to understand.

In contrast, athletics requires greater precision. So instead of quarter-inch scale increments, it is better to use eighths or half centimeters for graduations... or at least design in such a way that the person administering the assessment can choose how accurate they want to be.

A modern athlete measuring tool would not be complete without an app. Mobile integration would greatly enhance the measurement experience in a few ways: by streamlining data collection, by providing valuable insights, and by expediting fitness testing for large groups.

Advancing Athlete Measurement Technology

The goal is to create a universal device that is portable and easy to set up anywhere. It must deliver precision, durability, and seamless integration with mobile technology. To be truly exceptional, it must also be capable of measuring 100% of the world's population.

Developing a portable stadiometer for athletes highlights the importance of ongoing innovation. As human potential continues to evolve, market opportunities will emerge and lead to new medical and sports technologies.

Conventional stadiometers have generally been adequate for height measurements. But various limitations make them less suitable for today’s elite athletes. From what is known, there has never been a widely recognized or gold standard measuring device intended for athlete height or wingspan... until now.