¹The National Research Center for Work Environment, København, Denmark

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Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a leading cause of disability globally and impose a significant economic burden on society. Wearable motion capture devices have multiple applications in the prevention of WMSDs, including hazard identification, exposure assessment, risk evaluation, and complementary risk-reducing measures – such as work technique training aimed at reducing the occurrence of strenuous postures and movements.

Methods: This overview is based on a literature overview (Lind et al., 2023 [1]), two rapid reviews (Lind 2024a [2]; Lind 2024b [3]), and original studies, including Lind et al. 2025 [4].

Results: An increasing number of studies have applied wearable motion capture devices – such as triaxial accelerometers (ACC) and inertial measurement units (IMUs) – in field settings to measure exposure of the trunk, arms, and hand/wrist. While ACCs and IMUs can offer superior accuracy and precision compared to observation-based tools, several fundamental challenges persist. These include (among many) technical limitations (e.g., sensor drift, soft tissue artifacts), issues related to data computation, and the use of questionable reference postures (e.g., for recording the zero-degree arm inclination). When used for risk evaluation and assessment, measurements from wearable devices are often mapped to risk assessment tools originally developed for human observation. There remains a general lack of exposure metrics derived directly from technical measurement instruments, with a few notable exceptions. A growing number of studies have explored the use of motion capture devices in work technique training interventions aimed at reducing strenuous postures through augmented feedback. Current research has primarily applied audio, vibration, or visual feedback, typically targeting a single body part. Most studies have been conducted in controlled settings with short follow-up periods. While findings support the effectiveness of augmented feedback during or immediately after use in controlled environments, evidence for sustained effects beyond one week is lacking. Evidence from real work settings is even more limited.

Discussion and conclusion: Advancements in technology are increasing the potential of wearable motion capture devices for preventing WMSDs, offering benefits such as improved measurement accuracy and precision, reduced costs for exposure assessments, and automated risk evaluations. However, several challenges remain, including measurement accuracy and usability. There is a need for more international collaboration on standardized measurement protocols, analytical methods, and exposure metrics that align with epidemiologically established WMSD risk categories. Furthermore, the long-term effectiveness of wearable motion capture in supporting work technique training remains uncertain and requires further investigation, especially in real occupational settings.

Literatur

[1] Lind CM, Abtahi F, Forsman M. Wearable Motion Capture Devices for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Ergonomics-An Overview of Current Applications, Challenges, and Future Opportunities. Sensors (Basel). 2023 Apr 25;23(9):4259. DOI: 10.3390/s23094259
[2] Lind CM. A Rapid Review on the Effectiveness and Use of Wearable Biofeedback Motion Capture Systems in Ergonomics to Mitigate Adverse Postures and Movements of the Upper Body. Sensors (Basel). 2024 May 23;24(11):3345. DOI: 10.3390/s24113345
[3] Lind CM. Effectiveness of Sensors-Based Augmented Feedback in Ergonomics to Reduce Adverse Biomechanical Exposure in Work-Related Manual Handling-A Rapid Review of the Evidence. Sensors (Basel). 2024 Oct 30;24(21):6977. DOI: 10.3390/s24216977
[4] Lind CM, Rhen IM, Forsman M. Reliability and Accuracy of Standard Reference Procedures for Measurements of Trunk and Arm Postures in Ergonomics. Bioengineering (Basel). 2025 Jan 9;12(1):50. DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering12010050