biostudies-literatureLemus SALeonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miamie0278858https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9797066biostudies-literatureUnknown17(12)Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) classified as obesity constitute 27.7% of U.S. workers. These individuals are more likely to experience work-related injuries. However, ergonomists still design work tasks based on the general population and normal body weight. This is particularly true for manual lifting tasks and the calculation of recommended weight limits (RWL) as per National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) guidelines. This study investigates the effects of BMI on indicators of physiological stress. It was hypothesized that, for clinically elevated BMI individuals, repeated manual lifting at RWL would produce physiological stress above safety limits. A repetitive box lifting task was designed to measure metabolic parameters: volume of carbon dioxide (VCO2) andPloS oneThe effect of clinically elevated body mass index on physiological stress during manual lifting activities.PMC9797066UM-PRA-2022-3243Tiozzo ELemus SAVolz MBest TMPerry ATravascio FfalseThe effect of clinically elevated body mass index on physiological stress during manual lifting activities.Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) classified as obesity constitute 27.7% of U.S. workers. These individuals are more likely to experience work-related injuries. However, ergonomists still design work tasks based on the general population and normal body weight. This is particularly true for manual lifting tasks and the calculation of recommended weight limits (RWL) as per National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) guidelines. This study investigates the effects of BMI on indicators of physiological stress. It was hypothesized that, for clinically elevated BMI individuals, repeated manual lifting at RWL would produce physiological stress above safety limits. A repetitive box lifting task was designed to measure metabolic parameters: volume of carbon dioxide (VCO2) and2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-19T14:53:22.332Z2025-04-19T14:53:22.332ZS-EPMC97970663657692310.1371/journal.pone.0278858