Metabolism is a direct indicator at how physically intense a job (or tasks) is on the employee.

There are many different indicators that impact metabolic rates. Research has pointed to: oxygen consumption, galvanic responses, heart rate, accelerometry and other biometric responses that can be used as component metrics to predict overall energy expenditure.

Generally, this is conducted in a laboratory VO2 Max test. However, we have been able to take the biometric responses (mentioned above) and calculate over all energy expenditure through non-invasive, on-site methods.

Why is understanding work intensity important?

Jobs that require employees to exert themselves beyond their physical limitation can lead to soft tissue injury and heat stress. Exhaustion has also been closely linked with poor decision making and careless mistakes, some that can be very severe.

Work intensity measures can be used for:

• Pre-hire: Physical Ability Testing – Knowing the cardiovascular requirements of the job allows you to ensure those you hire have the capacity to handle the workload. This protects future employees from entering into a hazardous situation. It also protects the company from excess Workers Compensation costs.
• Justifying Headcount: If work intensity levels are higher than the average population can withstand (in a shift), adding employees into the space off-sets the amount of energy required by smaller group of employees. We will assist in calculating how many employees are needed to keep work at a safe work intensity (under the exhaustion threshold).