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Using passive or active back-support exoskeletons during a repetitive lifting task: influence on cardiorespiratory
M Schwartz1,2, K Desbrosses3, J Theurel3
1Working Life Department, French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases (INRS), 1 Rue du Morvan, 54500, Vandœuvre-Les-Nancy, France. mathilde.schwartz@inrs.fr.
Back-support exoskeletons significantly reduce physical workload during repetitive lifting tasks. Both passive and active exoskeletons lowered oxygen consumption, with active models showing greater benefits for cardiorespiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Ergonomics and Human Factors
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Repetitive lifting tasks pose significant physical demands on workers, particularly affecting cardiorespiratory systems.
- Back-support exoskeletons are emerging technologies designed to mitigate physical strain during occupational lifting.
- Understanding the comparative cardiorespiratory effects of different exoskeleton types is crucial for optimizing workplace safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cardiorespiratory impact of passive and active back-support exoskeletons during a standardized repetitive lifting task.
- To compare the physiological responses (oxygen consumption, cardiac cost) across different exoskeleton conditions and a no-exoskeleton control.
Main Methods:
- A laboratory study involving 27 participants (14 women, 13 men) performing a 5-minute, 10kg repetitive stoop lifting task.
- Four conditions were tested: no exoskeleton (FREE), passive exoskeleton (P-EXO), and two active exoskeletons (A-EXO1, A-EXO2).
- Continuous measurement of oxygen consumption rate and cardiac cost (heart rate) was conducted for each condition.
Main Results:
- All tested exoskeletons significantly reduced oxygen consumption compared to the FREE condition (12.6 ml/kg/min).
- Active exoskeleton A-EXO1 demonstrated the most significant reduction in oxygen consumption (9.1 ml/kg/min) and cardiac cost (45.1 bpm).
- No significant interaction was found between exoskeleton use and participant sex, indicating consistent benefits for both men and women.
Conclusions:
- Back-support exoskeletons, particularly active designs like A-EXO1, effectively reduce the cardiorespiratory workload during repetitive lifting.
- Factors such as technology type (passive vs. active), torque, system weight, and anthropomorphism influence exoskeleton efficacy.
- The study confirms that these exoskeletons can lower physical strain for both male and female workers in repetitive lifting scenarios.
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