Marker-Based Motion Capture for Ergonomic Risk Assessment in Industrial Workplaces: A Systematic Literature Review

Manual work tasks involving awkward postures, repetitive motion, and physical exer-tion contribute significantly to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in industrial settings. Marker-based (Mbased) motion capture systems (MoCaps) offer precise, quantitative insights into human movement, enabling more accurate ergonomic risk assessments. This review aims to evaluate the applications, effectiveness, opportunities, and limita-tions of optical Mbased MoCaps in the ergonomic analysis of industrial and physically intensive workplace activities. A systematic literature search was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 from four different databases. Articles were included if they applied optical Mbased MoCaps to assess ergonomic risks in industrial or manual task contexts and reported relevant kinematic or biome-chanical metrics. Only twelve studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Mbased MoCaps were used in several human tasks, including manual material handling, overhead work, surgery, and assembly line activities and promising results were achieved. De-spite their accuracy and analytical value, Mbased systems faced limitations. However, Mbased MoCaps remain highly effective for ergonomic assessment in controlled in-dustrial settings. This review contributes by combining existing evidence, identifying underexplored challenges, and providing a valuable foundation for researchers and practitioners seeking to optimise ergonomic assessments and workplace interventions using advanced motion capture tools.