From Lab to Field: Translating Inertial Motion Capture into Applied Ergonomic Risk Assessment and Intervention

Wearable inertial motion capture (IMC) systems are enabling researchers and practitioners to quantify biomechanical exposures in environments where using traditional optical motion capture is impractical. This presentation highlights three independent studies using the Xsens Awinda IMC system to estimate low back loading, predict injury risk, and evaluate ergonomic interventions in both laboratory and field settings. The first study evaluated the validity of L5/S1 moment estimations using a 17-sensor IMC system compared to gold-standard optical motion capture (OMC) and force plates. Thirty-six participants completed a series of lifting and lowering tasks that varied by load, asymmetry, and lifting height. Across conditions, IMC-based models underestimated peak L5/S1 moments by approximately 12–13% relative to OMC, with root mean square error (RMSE) values ranging from 19–21 Nm. Regression and Bland–Altman analyses demonstrated strong agreement, confirming that IMC offers sufficiently accurate spinal loading estimates for use in occupational settings where OMC is not feasible.