# Ergonomics Evaluation Using Motion Capture Technology--Literature Review
## 4 Summary of Theoretical Knowledge
In the articles **Systematic review of Kinect-based solutions for physical risk assessment in manual materials handling in industrial and laboratory environments**, and **Ergonomics/Human Factors Needs of an Ageing Workforce in the Manufacturing Sector,** the authors highlight the increasing number of aged workers and provide information and perspectives on how industry will need to adapt to meet the needs of these workers in the future. For this purpose, the authors use Microsoft Kinect to characterise the aging workforce based on physical and cognitive factors [92; 94]. The most widely used ergonomics assessment methods include Ovako Working Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Occupational Repetitive Action (OCRA), Snook and Ciriello, and National Instituteof Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Each of these methods requires different input data and focuses on assessing different aspects of ergonomics. Ergonomics assessment methods can be applied using tools that can be divided into self-report, observational tools, virtual simulations, and direct measurements. Answers to the question of the suitability of the use of the different ergonomic methods and the MoCap tool were provided by the studies [70]. Based on the examined sources, it can be concluded that the most commonly used ergonomic method is Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), which is an internationally used and popular observational method that examines the kinematics of the upper body, that is, the neck, shoulder, trunk, and arms [95]. It is used to evaluate data captured by inertial sensors by the authors of **Combining Ergonomic Risk Assessment (RULA) with Inertial Motion Capture Technology in Dentistry-Using the Benefits from Two Worlds**, and **Physical risk factors identification based on body sensor network combined to videotaping**[92,96]. On the other hand, the authors of the study **Automatic risk assessment integrated with activity segmentation in the order picking process to support health management** highlight the shortcomings of the RULA methodology. This method is unable to assess the impact of improvement strategies on ergonomic risks because it is missing information about the activity. Together with posture risk, activity information is needed to accurately analyse the effect of the applied improvement strategies. The REBA whole-body assessment standard is used in this study [89]. A more comprehensive ergonomic analysis of the data obtained by MoCap is presented in the research paper **Innovative real-time system to integrate ergonomic evaluations into warehouse design and management. ** The authors have developed an innovative whole-body system for real-time ergonomic evaluation of manual material handling in a warehouse. This system was created based on the most widely used RULA, OWAS, and OCRA methodologies and Lifting Index (LI) software subsystem, which can evaluate whole-body ergonomics. Due to the limitations and applicability of each method, the Selection Method module allows the user to directly select the most appropriate method based on the specific application [70]. The study **Wearable Sensor Network for Biomechanical Overload Assessment in Manual Material Handling**, again, highlights the absence of the possibility for whole-body ergonomic assessment when using a sensor network composed of inertial measurement units (IMUs). The authors of this paper propose a new system for biomechanical overload assessment based on the four methods of [PERSON] and Ciriello, the NIOSH LI and REBA. The effectiveness has been demonstrated by a case study with physically demanding activities in a harbour [97]. These studies suggest that, if we capture motion with MoCap technology and require a complete ergonomic evaluation of the whole body, a system based on several ergonomic methods is required.