Assessing Effectiveness of Passive Exoskeletons and Tool Selection on Ergonomic Safety in Manhole Cover Removal
Sensors,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
25(7), С. 2027 - 2027
Опубликована: Март 24, 2025
Manual
material
handling,
a
common
practice
in
various
industries,
often
involves
moving
or
lifting
heavy
objects,
placing
significant
physical
strain
on
workers,
especially
the
lower
back.
A
prime
example
is
manhole
cover
removal,
which
typically
requires
handling
weights,
potentially
leading
to
back
muscle
strain.
This
study
investigates
effectiveness
of
passive
exoskeleton
reducing
ergonomic
risks
during
removal.
Twenty
able-bodied
workers
participated,
performing
task
with
and
without
extractor
tools
field.
Techniques
such
as
surface
electromyography
inertial
measurement
units
were
employed
measure
activity
body
posture
using
Rapid
Entire
Body
Assessment
(REBA).
compared
activities
REBA
scores
under
different
conditions:
manually
covers,
an
in-house
lever
tool,
sledgehammer
pick
bar
tool
named
Jake,
both
exoskeleton.
Results
revealed
that
Lever
was
safest
most
efficient
method,
resulting
lowest
scores,
regardless
use.
Interestingly,
significantly
reduced
when
Jake
tool.
These
findings
indicate
while
optimal
for
this
task,
exoskeletons
can
effectively
associated
more
physically
demanding
tools.
Язык: Английский
In-Field Training of a Passive Back Exoskeleton Changes the Biomechanics of Logistic Workers
IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
unknown, С. 1 - 13
Опубликована: Июнь 13, 2024
Occupational
exoskeletons
receive
rising
interest
in
industry
as
these
devices
diminish
the
biomechanical
load
during
manual
materials
handling.
Still,
we
have
limited
knowledge
when
it
comes
to
in-field
use.
This
gap
often
contributes
failure
implementation
of
exoskeleton
industry.
In
this
study,
investigated
how
a
training
protocol
consisting
use
passive
back
affected
biomechanics
logistic
workers.
More
specifically,
focused
on
variation
muscular
and
kinematic
patterns
user
was
altered
after
training.
We
found
that
had
positive
effect
use,
relative
decrease
6–9%
peak
muscle
activity
observed
post-training.
Additionally,
decreased
knee
flexion
by
6°–16°,
indicating
more
stoop
lifting
technique.
The
findings
point
at
potential
benefits
applying
approach
implementing
back-supporting
logistics.
Язык: Английский
The effect of active exoskeleton support with different lumbar-to-hip support ratios on spinal musculoskeletal loading and lumbar kinematics during lifting
Wearable Technologies,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
5
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024
Abstract
While
active
back-support
exoskeletons
can
reduce
mechanical
loading
of
the
spine,
current
designs
include
only
one
pair
actuated
hip
joints
combined
with
a
rigid
structure
between
pelvis
and
trunk
attachments,
restricting
lumbar
flexion
consequently
intended
lifting
behavior.
This
study
presents
novel
exoskeleton
including
as
well
subject-specific
control
based
on
real-time
low-back
moment
estimation.
We
evaluated
effect
support
different
lumbar-to-hip
(L/H)
ratios
spine
loading,
kinematics,
back
muscle
electromyography
(EMG).
Eight
healthy
males
lifted
15
kg
loads
using
three
techniques
without
(NOEXO)
exoskeleton:
minimal
impedance
mode
(MINIMP),
L/H
ratio
in
line
typical
net
(R0.8),
lower
(R0.5)
higher
(R2.0)
than
R0.8,
mechanically
fixed
joint
(LF;
simulating
joint-only
designs).
EMG-driven
musculoskeletal
model
results
indicated
that
R0.8
R0.5
yielded
significant
reductions
spinal
(4–11%,
p
<
.004)
across
when
compared
to
MINIMP,
through
reducing
moments
(14–30%)
while
not
affecting
passive
moments.
R2.0
LF
significantly
reduced
(8–17%,
.001;
22–26%,
.001,
respectively),
however
restricted
(3–18%,
24–27%,
respectively)
associated
An
reduces
allowing
normal
High
(e.g.,
designs)
yield
however,
restrict
behavior,
typically
perceived
hindrance.
Язык: Английский
Evaluating Exoskeletons for WMSD Prevention: A Systematic Review of Applications and Ergonomic Approach in Occupational Settings
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
21(12), С. 1695 - 1695
Опубликована: Дек. 19, 2024
This
review
provides
a
comprehensive
analysis
of
studies
investigating
the
impact
occupational
exoskeletons
on
work-related
musculoskeletal
disorder
(WMSD)
risk
factors.
The
primary
objective
is
to
examine
methodologies
used
assess
effectiveness
these
devices
across
various
tasks.
A
systematic
was
conducted
following
PRISMA
guidelines,
covering
published
between
2014
and
2024.
total
49
were
included,
identified
through
searches
in
Scopus
Web
Science
databases,
with
search
string
launched
August
identifies
growing
body
research
passive
active
exoskeletons,
notable
focus
laboratory-based
evaluations.
results
indicate
that
direct
measurement
self-report
methods
are
preferred
approaches
domains.
Ergonomic
limitations
user
discomfort
remain
concerns
some
cases.
findings
this
may
influence
stakeholders
by
providing
insights
into
potential
benefits
adopting
improving
workplace
ergonomics
reduce
WMSD
risks.
Additionally,
identification
assessment
will
be
valuable
for
validating
use
technologies
workplace.
concludes
recommendations
future
research,
emphasizing
need
more
real-world
assessments
improved
exoskeleton
designs
enhance
comfort
efficacy.
Язык: Английский
Investigating Kinematics and Electromyography Changes in Manual Handling Tasks with an Active Lumbar Exoskeleton
Biomechanics,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
4(2), С. 357 - 368
Опубликована: Июнь 4, 2024
Companies
are
becoming
increasingly
aware
of
the
health
their
employees
and
now
integrating
exoskeleton
solutions
for
both
prevention
job
maintenance.
However,
effect
using
exoskeletons
is
still
an
open
question.
Therefore,
this
study
aimed
to
evaluate
impact
active
lumbar
its
passive
belt
on
trunk
kinematics
muscle
activity
instrumented
motion
analysis.
Twenty-three
healthy
subjects
volunteered
perform
three
handlings
a
5
kg
load
(free
lifting,
squat
transfer)
under
different
experimental
conditions.
The
“Control”
condition
was
when
subject
did
not
wear
any
device,
“Belt”
wore
only
part
exoskeleton,
“Exo”
exoskeleton.
Based
Rapid
Upper
Limb
Assessment
scale,
reduced
time
spent
in
angles
that
were
considered
dangerous
back,
according
ergonomic
evaluations.
Furthermore,
handling
sessions,
it
observed
modify
abdominal–lumbar
region.
Язык: Английский
Evaluation of Occupational Exoskeletons: A Comprehensive Protocol for Experimental Design and Analysis
Applied Sciences,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
14(18), С. 8328 - 8328
Опубликована: Сен. 15, 2024
This
paper
proposes
a
modular
protocol
for
the
designing
of
experimental
studies
to
analyze
exoskeletons
used
in
industrial
settings
support
manual
material
handling
(MMH).
Despite
exoskeleton
technologies
starting
be
highly
commercialized
and
present
workplaces,
research
still
lacks
standardized
procedure
analyzing
impact
these
devices
on
workers.
The
presented
this
outlines
step-by-step
procedure,
including
parameters
collected
analyzed
study.
Moreover,
approach
could
easily
adapted
meet
specificity
wide
range
exoskeletons.
main
novelty
is
thus
design
analysis
assessing
overall
To
implement
protocol,
selected
case
study
concerned
palletizing
task
involving
MMH
12
cardboard
boxes,
weighing
10
kg.
results
from
physiological
signals
pressure
insoles
show
that
comprehensive
can
utilized
by
researchers
evaluating
different
occupational
assistance
during
(both
active
passive),
with
modifications
specific
parts
based
type
being
assessed
or
variables
interest.
Язык: Английский
Gender Differences in Performing an Overhead Drilling Task Using an Exoskeleton—A Cross-Sectional Study
Biomimetics,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
9(10), С. 601 - 601
Опубликована: Окт. 7, 2024
(1)
Exoskeletons
offer
potential
benefits
for
overhead
working
tasks,
but
gender
effects
or
differences
are
unclear.
This
study
aimed
to
compare
the
performance
as
well
subjective
body
strain
and
comfort
of
men
women
using
an
upper-body
exoskeleton.
(2)
n
=
20
female
16
male
participants
performed
drilling
task
with
without
a
passive
exoskeleton
in
randomized
cross-over
study.
The
different
movement
phases,
perceived
exertion,
ease
use
were
measured
differences.
One-
two-way
analyses
used
genders
conditions.
mass
index
(BMI)
was
included
covariate.
(3)
Gender
found
error
integrals
(
Язык: Английский
Effects of a soft back exoskeleton on lower lumbar spine loads during manual materials handling: a musculoskeletal modelling study
Computer Methods in Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
unknown, С. 1 - 9
Опубликована: Ноя. 4, 2024
The
aim
of
this
study
was
to
append
a
passive
soft
back
exoskeleton
validated
musculoskeletal
model
and
assess
its
effectiveness
in
reducing
lumbar
loads.
Fifteen
participants
lifted
box,
with
without
wearing
CORFOR®
exoskeleton.
A
full
body
OpenSim
used
estimate
joint
moments
reaction
forces,
as
well
low
muscles
forces.
Wearing
the
reduced
peak
flexion
moment,
compressive
shear
This
modelling
shows
that
may
reduce
spine
loads
contribute
prevent
disorders.
Язык: Английский