Wearing an Arm Support Exoskeleton Does Not Affect Balance but May Decrease Dynamic Stability During a Step-Down...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Human Factors
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Robotics and Wearable Technology

Background:

• Arm support exoskeletons (ASEs) aim to reduce muscle strain in labor-intensive jobs.
• Potential benefits include decreased fatigue, discomfort, and injury risk.
• Concerns exist regarding the impact of ASEs on worker safety, specifically dynamic balance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of wearing ASEs on dynamic balance during dynamic tasks.
• To assess changes in postural sway and dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) with ASE use.
• To identify potential sex-based differences and anthropometric influences on balance performance with ASEs.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-three healthy volunteers (7 female) performed a single-leg, step-down maneuver.
• Dynamic balance was assessed with and without three different ASEs.
• Measurements included postural sway parameters and the dynamic postural stability index (DPSI).

Main Results:

• No substantial differences in sway were observed across conditions, with one minor exception.
• The dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) significantly increased with all ASEs compared to no-ASE.
• Females exhibited greater sway and DPSI; height and body mass were negatively correlated with balance metrics.

Conclusions:

• ASEs do not appear to impair dynamic balance during moderately demanding tasks like step-down maneuvers.
• ASEs may influence stabilization strategies, particularly for individuals with lower body mass and height.
• Findings suggest cautious integration of ASEs in industrial settings, with specific attention to individual anthropometrics and task demands.