examples of this domain. As a result, everything in the workplace (tools, devices, items to be handled, etc.) must be designed in such a manner that a worker is able to execute activities with efficient motions, using minimal energy, with low and mitigated risk of injury [8].  
Virtual reality (VR) technology can improve the analysis of manufacturing processes. Virtual reality is defined as \"a computer-generated digital environment that can be experienced and interacted with as if it were real\" [9]. In turn, digital human modeling (DHM) provides a quick, virtual representation of humans, likewise employing a computer to simulate a real-world situation, but without interactivity [10].  
Virtual simulation, related to virtual reality and digital human modeling technologies, employs computer modeling and simulation technology, which has been widely utilized for more than half a century in education, health, entertainment, culture, sports, engineering, the military forces, and other fields. However, it has only lately become a valuable tool in the manufacturing industry [3, 11].  
Despite their various applications, according to the authors' knowledge, there is no previous work in the literature that reviews scientific and technical knowledge on the combination of virtual reality and digital human modeling to assess physical ergonomics throughout the product design process. Ref. [12] researched the use of immersive virtual reality to enhance industrial workspaces but did not address its integration with digital human modelling. Ref. [13] reviewed the uses and research trends of digital human models in the manufacturing sector but did not focus on ergonomic analyses. As a result, there is still a gap in the knowledge on this subject.  
Yet, assessing ergonomic risks during the design phase enables detection of critical issues and the employment of corrective actions early in the process, which is more effective and less costly than later assessment of these risks [2, 14, 15, 16]. Furthermore, virtual reality may improve the realism and effectiveness of virtual manufacturing [13]; supplementing the constraints in the use of digital human modeling technology to assess physical ergonomics, supporting various aspects of the process, such as fidelity issues [17], the requirement for detailed knowledge about the visual behavior of the workers in the task being modelled [18], and the requirement of a high amount of training for engineers [14].  
The global virtual reality market is projected to grow from USD 6.30 billion in 2021 to USD 84.09 billion in 2028 [19]. With the emergence of low-cost devices, such as markerless motion capture, an increasing number of organizations are employing them for ergonomics evaluation in the manufacturing sector without fully understanding their overall performance and drawbacks [20]. Therefore, the knowledge on this subject may provide a reference for practitioners and researchers as they continue to develop novel solutions for the early detection of a physical ergonomics problem, improving operator well-being, productivity, and quality, and lowering the cost of corrections.  
Thus, this study aims to analyze the application of virtual reality and digital human modeling for physical ergonomics assessment during product development in the industry, through a patents and articles review.  
This document is organized as follows: Section 2 describes the materials and methods utilized, Section 3 presents and analyzes the results, Section 4 provides our conclusions and suggestions for further research.