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

The aim of this study was to assess, for both men and women, the consequences of using different back-support exoskeletons during various manual material tasks (MMH) on the activity of back muscles and trunk kinematics. Fifteen men and fourteen women performed MMH involving a 15 kg load (a static task, a symmetric lifting task, and an asymmetric lifting task). Four exoskeleton conditions were tested: without equipment (CON) and with three exoskeletons passive (P-EXO), and active (A-EXO1 and A-EXO2)).

Using passive or active back-support exoskeletons during a repetitive lifting task: influence on cardiorespiratory parameters.

The objective of this laboratory study was to assess the cardiorespiratory consequences related to the use of different back-support exoskeletons during a repetitive lifting task. Fourteen women and thirteen men performed a dynamic stoop lifting task involving full flexion/extension of the trunk in the sagittal plane. This task was repeated for 5 min with a 10 kg load to handle.

Effectiveness of Soft versus Rigid Back-Support Exoskeletons during a Lifting Task.

This study investigated the influence of passive back-support exoskeletons (EXO) design, trunk sagittal inclination (TSI), and gender on the effectiveness of an exoskeleton to limit erector spinae muscle (ES) activation during a sagittal lifting/lowering task. Twenty-nine volunteers performed an experimental dynamic task with two exoskeletons (two different designs: soft (SUIT) and rigid (SKEL)), and without equipment (FREE). The ES activity was analyzed for eight parts of TSI, each corresponding to 25% of the range of motion (lifting: P1 to P4; lowering: P5 to P8).

Evaluation of two upper-limb exoskeletons during overhead work: influence of exoskeleton design and load on muscular adaptations and balance regulation.

Purpose: Overhead works (OHW) are identified as a major risk factor for shoulder musculoskeletal disorders. The use of upper-limb exoskeletons (EXO) is emerging to address these challenges. This research tested the influence of EXO design and load on the upper-limb and postural muscles activity, and on the balance control, during OHW.