In ergonomics principles, a proper work system should consider that the workload do not exceed the human body capacity. One of the major approaches in determining human physical capacities and performances is the measurement of metabolic energy expenditure. Since the amount of energy generated (due to muscle contraction) is a function of oxygen utilized. The aim of this study is to develop oxygen consumption (VO₂)formula for energy expenditure prediction based on height (H), weight (W), age (A), and heart rate (HR) among young industrial workers. Then, it wants to see the validity of the formula.

This is an experimental study. Participants collected randomly by advertising in newspaper and spreading the leaflet to the industries in Bandung City, Indonesia. The subjects are 30 males (20 – 25 years old) of young industrial workers, 20 participants are generating VO₂ formula and another 10 participants for validation. The experiment protocol was using Keytel protocol which employing a treadmill exercise. The protocol for validity was 2 activities; running in the treadmill and conducting manual material handling.

All the determinant factors are strongly related with the formula with adjusted R² for VO₂ and VO₂relative rate were 76.9% and 75.1% respectively. The formula is:

VO₂ (L/min) = 1.117 – 0.012 H(cm) + 0.015 W(kg) – 0.039 A(yrs) + 0.019 HR(beat/min)

VO₂ relative rate (ml/kg/min) = 60.881 – 0.339 H(cm)  – 0.949 A(yrs) + 0.351 HR(beat/min)

The result of validation for treadmill activity, VO₂relative rate’s data is same between the actual value of experiments and estimation value from the formula with the R² was 0.036. But the validation for manual material handling activity is not same.