Biomechanical Evaluation of the Effect of Three Trunk Support Exoskeletons on Spine Loading During Lifting

Idsart Kingma*, Axel S. Koopman, Michiel P. de Looze, Jaap H. van Dieën

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

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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 languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWearable Robotics: Challenges and Trends
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Wearable Robotics, WeRob2020, and of WearRAcon Europe 2020, October 13–16, 2020
EditorsJuan C. Moreno, Jawad Masood, Urs Schneider, Christophe Maufroy, Jose L. Pons
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages177-181
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9783030695477
ISBN (Print)9783030695460, 9783030695491
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Publication series

NameBiosystems and Biorobotics
Volume27
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.

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