Abstract
To evaluate the biomechanical effect of exoskeletons during lifting, three studies were performed to compare spine compression during lifting without and with three exoskeletons (Laevo, Robo-Mate, SPEXOR). In these studies, participants (11, 10 and 10, respectively) lifted boxes (10, 15 and 10 kg, respectively) from ankle height. Spine compression reductions ranged from minor changes in the first exoskeleton to 17% and 14% reductions in the second and third exoskeleton, respectively. Lumbar flexion was increased by the first exoskeleton while it was reduced by the second and unaffected by the third. Effects of exoskeletons on spine compression were affected by support moments, reductions in lifting speed and subtle changes in lifting style. Modifications of design and control could help to improve the timing and magnitude of support of exoskeletons during lifting.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Wearable Robotics: Challenges and Trends |
Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Wearable Robotics, WeRob2020, and of WearRAcon Europe 2020, October 13–16, 2020 |
Editors | Juan C. Moreno, Jawad Masood, Urs Schneider, Christophe Maufroy, Jose L. Pons |
Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH |
Pages | 177-181 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783030695477 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783030695460, 9783030695491 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Publication series
Name | Biosystems and Biorobotics |
---|---|
Volume | 27 |
ISSN (Print) | 2195-3562 |
ISSN (Electronic) | 2195-3570 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Acknowledgements This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 through the SPEXOR project, contract no. 687662, and by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), program ‘perspectief’ (project P16–05).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.