Metabolism is a direct indicator at how physically intense a job (or tasks) is on the employee.
There are many different work intensity 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: