Can back exosuits simultaneously increase lifting endurance and reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk? DOI Creative Commons
Katherine Rodzak, Paul Slaughter, Derek N. Wolf

et al.

Wearable Technologies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract The objectives of this case series study were to test whether an elastic back exosuit could increase a wearer’s endurance when lifting heavy objects and assess more cancels out the exosuit’s risk reduction benefits. We found that 88% participants increased their repetitions while wearing exosuit, with increases ranging from 28 75%. then used these empirical data ergonomic assessment model based on fatigue failure principles estimate effects cumulative damage (an indicator low disorder risk) is worn lifts are performed. Participants exhibited 27–93% lower exosuit. These results confirmed participants’ capacity without canceling injury Back exosuits may make it possible simultaneously boost productivity reduce musculoskeletal risks, which relevant workers in civilian defense sectors.

Language: Английский

Lightweight active back exosuit reduces muscular effort during an hour-long order picking task DOI Creative Commons

Jinwon Chung,

D. Adam Quirk, Megan E. Applegate

et al.

Communications Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: Feb. 23, 2024

Abstract Occupational back exoskeletons and exosuits aim to reduce low injuries in the workplace. For these technologies be adopted, it is important that they provide biomechanical benefits wearer do not disrupt job performance. To address this challenge, here we developed a lightweight, soft, active exosuit can autonomously control virtual impedance apply differing assistance during lowering lifting. In usability tests, participants rated as easy learn use reported feeling confident while wearing it. an experiment involving hour-long order picking task demonstrated reduced peak median muscle activations by 18% 20%, respectively. Despite complexity of movements required, such walking, bending, navigating around obstacles lifting boxes from under rack, our controller impressive robustness with only 14 mistriggers out 9600 lifts (0.1%). The results research suggest technology has potential highly usable solution aid warehouse workers real-world settings.

Language: Английский

Citations

7

The effect of a soft active back support exosuit on trunk motion and thoracolumbar spine loading during squat and stoop lifts DOI
Jacob J. Banks,

David A. Quirk,

Jinwon Chung

et al.

Ergonomics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 14

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Back support exosuits aim to reduce tissue demands and thereby risk of injury pain. However, biomechanical analyses soft active exosuit designs have been limited. The objective this study was evaluate the effect a back on trunk motion thoracolumbar spine loading in participants performing stoop squat lifts 6 10 kg crates, using participant-specific musculoskeletal models. did not change overall but affected lumbo-pelvic slightly, reduced peak compressive shear vertebral loads at some levels, although increased slightly others. This indicates that limited kinematic effects during lifting, can spinal depending level. These results hypothesis assist without limiting movement or negatively impacting skeletal implications for future design ergonomic intervention efforts.

Language: Английский

Citations

6

Comparison of six observational methods for repetitive shoulder movements based on discomfort: An experimental study DOI
Dohyung Kee

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 105, P. 103696 - 103696

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Elastic textile-based wearable modulation of musculoskeletal load: A comprehensive review of passive exosuits and resistance clothing DOI Creative Commons
Amit Talukder, Jeyeon Jo

Wearable Technologies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Elastic textiles play a critical role in passive wearable solutions for musculoskeletal load management both exosuits and resistance clothing. These textiles, based on their ability to stretch retract, can exhibit ambivalence load-modulating effects when used occupational, rehabilitation, exercise, or everyday activity settings. While garments may appear similar design, they have opposing goals: reduce the case of increase it Despite this intrinsic connection, these two approaches not been extensively linked together. This review aims fill gap by examining common distinct principles elastic clothing, shedding light interactions complex dynamics systems. The effectiveness different designs that mimic function clothing workload strength training are critically reviewed. Current challenges practical implementation opportunities improve issues, such as preload, thermal comfort, skin friction, donning doffing also highlighted.

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Assessment of active back-support exoskeleton on carpentry framing tasks: Muscle activity, range of motion, discomfort, and exertion DOI
Akinwale Okunola, Abiola Akanmu, Houtan Jebelli

et al.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 107, P. 103716 - 103716

Published: March 6, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0

The perceptual and biomechanical effects of scaling back exosuit assistance to changing task demands DOI Creative Commons

Jinwon Chung,

D. Adam Quirk,

Jason M. Cherin

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 29, 2025

Back exoskeletons are gaining attention for preventing occupational back injuries, but they can disrupt movement, a burden that risks abandonment. Enhanced adaptability is proposed to mitigate burdens, perceptual benefits less known. This study investigates the and biomechanical impacts of SLACK suit (non-assistive) controller versus three controllers with varying adaptability: Weight-Direction-Angle adaptive (WDA-ADPT) scales assistance based on weight boxes using chest-mounted camera machine learning algorithm, movement direction, trunk flexion angle, standard Direction-Angle (DA-ADPT) Angle (A-ADPT) controllers. Fifteen participants performed variable (2, 8, 14 kg) box-transfer task. WDA-ADPT achieved highest score (88%) across survey categories reduced peak extensor (BE) muscle amplitudes by 10.1%. DA-ADPT had slightly lower (76%) BE reduction (8.5%). A-ADPT induced hip restriction, which could explain lowest (55%) despite providing largest reductions in activity (17.3%). Reduced scores DA were explained too much or little actual task demands. These findings underscore scaling demands improves perception device's suitability.

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Preference-based assistance optimization for lifting and lowering with a soft back exosuit DOI

Philipp Arens,

D. Adam Quirk, Weiwei Pan

et al.

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(15)

Published: April 9, 2025

Wearable robotic devices have become increasingly prevalent in both occupational and rehabilitative settings, yet their widespread adoption remains inhibited by usability barriers related to comfort, restriction, noticeable functional benefits. Acknowledging the importance of user perception this context, study explores preference-based controller optimization for a back exosuit that assists lifting. Considering high mental metabolic effort discrete motor tasks impose, we used forced-choice Bayesian Optimization approach promotes sampling efficiency leveraging domain knowledge about just differences between assistance settings. Optimizing over two control parameters, preferred settings were consistent within uniquely different participants. We discovered overall, participants asymmetric parameter configurations with more lifting than lowering assistance, preferences sensitive anthropometrics. These findings highlight potential perceptually guided wearable devices, marking step toward pervasive these systems real world.

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Effects of a back-assist exosuit in lab-based approximations of construction tasks performed by novices and experienced construction workers DOI
Yu Song, Maja Goršič,

Zhichen Feng

et al.

Ergonomics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 15

Published: March 5, 2024

Passive back-assist exosuits may be beneficial for construction workers, but few evaluations have been conducted with actual workers and construction-relevant tasks. This paper presents a laboratory study of the HeroWear Apex exosuit 35 participants: 15 significant experience 20 without it. Participants completed several approximations brief tasks (lifting, carrying, raising boards) three 3-min (hunched standing, kneeling, hunched walking nail gun) exosuit. During tasks, erector spinae electromyograms were reduced in all (Cohen's d up to −0.58), kinematics suggested load shifting from back legs, was perceived as helpful. helpful only during kneeling. Thus, benefit construction-related though objective benefits could not shown standing or walking.

Language: Английский

Citations

2

Active back exosuits demonstrate positive usability perceptions that drive intention-to-use in the field among logistic warehouse workers DOI

Adam Hess,

Jesse V. Jacobs,

Sarah Sullivan

et al.

Applied Ergonomics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 122, P. 104400 - 104400

Published: Oct. 9, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2

Musculoskeletal models determine the effect of a soft active exosuit on muscle activations and forces during lifting and lowering tasks DOI

Chenxi Yan,

Jacob J. Banks, Brett Allaire

et al.

Journal of Biomechanics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 176, P. 112322 - 112322

Published: Sept. 11, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1