Metabolic adaptation and related biomechanics in an ankle-based exoskeleton system during six sessions of steady state walking.

Ankle-based exoskeletons have demonstrated metabolic benefits during steady-state walking; however, variability exists in individual adaptation timelines necessary to achieve those benefits. This study assessed timelines for metabolic and gait-related adaptation while wearing an ankle-based exoskeleton while powered (EXOP) compared to unpowered (EXNP) and no device worn (NOEX). Metabolic (VO) and biomechanics data were collected while 14 participants walked on a treadmill at 1.