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Biomechanical Consequences of Using Passive and Active Back-Support Exoskeletons during Different Manual Handling

Mathilde Schwartz1, Kévin Desbrosses1, Jean Theurel1

  • 1Working Life Department, French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases (INRS), 54500 Vandœuvre-les-Nancy, France.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|August 12, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Back-support exoskeletons reduce muscle activity during manual material handling tasks. Active exoskeletons significantly decrease muscle load more than passive ones, impacting trunk kinematics.

Keywords:
EMGhandling taskskinematicslow back painmusculoskeletal disorderswearable assistive devices

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Area of Science:

  • Ergonomics
  • Biomechanics
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Manual material handling (MMH) tasks pose risks for back injuries.
  • Back-support exoskeletons are developed to mitigate these risks.
  • Understanding the impact of different exoskeleton types on muscle activity and trunk movement is crucial for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of passive and active back-support exoskeletons on back muscle activity and trunk kinematics during MMH tasks.
  • To compare the performance of different exoskeleton technologies (passive vs. active) and their interaction with task type and user sex.

Main Methods:

  • Fifteen men and fourteen women performed static, symmetric lifting, and asymmetric lifting tasks with a 15 kg load.
  • Muscle activity (electromyography) of key back and leg muscles was recorded under four conditions: no exoskeleton (CON), passive exoskeleton (P-EXO), and two active exoskeletons (A-EXO1, A-EXO2).
  • Trunk kinematics (thoracic, lumbar, hip angles) were measured.

Main Results:

  • Passive exoskeletons reduced activity in latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, and biceps femoris muscles by 12-27% compared to CON, primarily during static tasks.
  • Active exoskeletons reduced activity in all measured muscles by 7-62% compared to CON and 10-52% compared to passive exoskeletons.
  • Active exoskeletons demonstrated the potential to alter trunk kinematics, with minimal sex-based interaction observed.

Conclusions:

  • Occupational back-support exoskeletons effectively reduce trunk extensor muscle activity.
  • The degree of muscle activity reduction is influenced by exoskeleton technology (passive vs. active), design, and task specifics (static vs. dynamic).
  • Active exoskeletons offer greater muscle load reduction and can modify trunk kinematics, highlighting their potential for enhanced occupational safety.