• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.226-236
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to classify the torso shape based on abdominal protrusion caused by changes in the physical characteristics of middle-aged women. This study analyzed 3D shape data of 401 females ranging in age from 40 to 59 years who participated in the 6th Size Korea project. Based on the Size Korea 3D measurement standard, 27 additional items such as height, protrusion, and angle were measured in the 3D scan data. Nine factors were extracted from the analysis of constituent factors of the torso: "vertical size of torso," "flatness and protrusion of abdomen," "torso front extrusion," "upper body height," "bust size and flatness," "size of belly and angle of lower abdomen," "hip length," "hip flatness," and "horizontal size of bust." As a result of the cluster analysis using these nine factors, the torsos of middle-aged women were classified into three types. Type 1 has upper abdominal deposition with a small and long upper body and an advanced abdomen; type 2 has lower abdominal deposition with a small and short torso and a small belly and hip flexion; and type 3 has central abdominal deposition with a big and long torso, large breasts, and protruding abdo¬men front. The middle-aged women were mostly distributed in Type 2. The above results will be useful as basic data for the development of clothing with improved fit to accommodate the changed physical characteristics of middle-aged women.