Human Strength and Physical Capability
Understanding how worker characteristics, posture, reach, and task demands influence physical strength capability.
Explore this themeOntario Tech University
Research for safer, more capable work.
ONE Lab studies how people move, generate force, fatigue, recover, and interact with work—connecting rigorous laboratory science with the realities of workplaces.
What we study
Five connected research themes
From fundamental human capability to applied workplace innovation, each theme supports proactive ergonomics and evidence-based design.
Fatigue, Recovery and Repetitive Work
Understanding how physical demands, repetition, and recovery alter worker capability over time.
Explore this themeDigital Ergonomics and Virtual Work Simulation
Evaluating digital technologies that support proactive assessment of work, movement, and human behaviour.
Explore this themeField Ergonomics and Exposure Assessment
Measuring physical work in real environments to improve and validate ergonomics assessment methods.
Explore this themeApplied Ergonomics and Workplace Innovation
Applying independent ergonomics research to workplaces, products, technologies, and interventions.
Explore this themeResearch in practice
Current work and capabilities
Measurement across settings
Integrated motion, muscle, force, hand, gaze, and task-context measurements support research in the laboratory, in virtual environments, and at real workplaces.
Durable research programs
Six long-running programs connect related studies while preserving a clear distinction between research themes, programs, and individual projects.
Explore research programsRecent activity
News & highlights
ONE Lab members reconnect at the World Congress of Biomechanics
Current and former members of ONE Lab recently reconnected at the World Congress of Biomechanics in Vancouver.
Nick La Delfa receives the 2026 Young Investigator Award
Dr. Nick La Delfa received the 2026 Young Investigator Award presented through the Applied Ergonomics Conference and the Texas A&M Center for Worker Health.
Michael Watterworth receives the 2026 Student of the Year Award
ONE Lab PhD student Michael Watterworth received the 2026 Student of the Year Award at the Applied Ergonomics Conference.
People & training
Students are central to the work.
Graduate and undergraduate researchers contribute across ONE Lab's research programs, building expertise in scientific methods and applied ergonomics.
Meet our people7current researchers, trainees, and staff