Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Lower Limb Biomechanical Analysis of Healthy Participants
Published on: April 15, 2020
Biomechanical analysis of different back-supporting exoskeletons regarding musculoskeletal loading during lifting and
J Johns1, I Schultes2, K Heinrich2
1Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, German Social Accident Insurance, Sankt Augustin, Germany; Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Abstract:
Industrial back support exoskeletons (BSEs) are a promising approach to addressing low back pain (LBP) which still affect a significant proportion of the workforce. They aim to reduce lumbar loading, the main biomechanical risk factor for LBP, by providing external support to the lumbar spine. The aim of this study was to determine the supporting effect of one active (A1) and two passive (P1 and P2) BSEs during different manual material handling tasks. Kinematic data and back muscle activity were collected from 12 subjects during dynamic lifting and static holding of 10 kg. Mean and peak L5/S1 extension moments, L5/S1 compression forces and muscle activation were included in the analysis. During dynamic lifting all BSEs reduced peak (12-26 %) and mean (4-17 %) extension moments and peak (10-22 %) and mean (4-15 %) compression forces in the lumbar spine. The peak (13-28 %) and mean (4-32 %) activity of the back extensor muscles was reduced accordingly. In the static holding task, analogous mean reductions for P1 and P2 of L5/S1 extension moments (12-20 %), compression forces (13-23 %) and muscular activity (16-23 %) were found. A1 showed a greater reduction during static holding for extension moments (46 %), compression forces (41 %) and muscular activity (54 %). This pronounced difference in the performance of the BSEs between tasks was attributed to the actuators used by the different BSEs.
More Related Videos
09:32Subject-specific Musculoskeletal Model for Studying Bone Strain During Dynamic Motion
Published on: April 11, 2018
06:28Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Machines: Problem Solving II
Applications of Stress
The...
Frames: Problem Solving II
Residual Stresses in Bending
Stability of structures