Can back exosuits simultaneously increase lifting endurance and reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk?

The objectives of this case series study were to test whether an elastic back exosuit could increase a wearer's endurance when lifting heavy objects and to assess whether lifting more cancels out the exosuit's risk reduction benefits. We found that 88% of participants increased their lifting repetitions while wearing an exosuit, with endurance increases ranging from 28 to 75%. We then used these empirical data with an ergonomic assessment model based on fatigue failure principles to estimate the effects on cumulative back damage (an indicator of low back disorder risk) when an exosuit is worn and more lifts are performed.

Evaluating the Biomechanical Effects and Real-World Usability of a Novel Ankle Exo for Runners.

Achilles tendon overuse injuries are common for long-distance runners. Ankle exos (exoskeletons and exosuits) are wearable devices that can reduce Achilles tendon loading and could potentially aid in the rehabilitation or prevention of these injuries by helping to mitigate and control tissue loading. However, most ankle exos are confined to controlled lab testing and are not practical to use in real-world running.

Using Fitness Tracker Data to Overcome Pressure Insole Wear Time Challenges for Remote Musculoskeletal Monitoring.

Tibia shaft fractures are common lower extremity fractures that can require surgery and rehabilitation. However, patient recovery is often poor, partly due to clinicians' inability to monitor bone loading, which is critical to stimulating healing. We envision a future of patient care that includes at-home monitoring of tibia loading using pressure-sensing insoles.

Evaluation of U.S. Army Soldiers wearing a back exosuit during a field training exercise.

Back overuse injuries are a significant problem in the U.S. Army, responsible for nearly a quarter of musculoskeletal injuries.

Integrating Exosuit Capabilities into Clothing to Make Back Relief Accessible to Workers Unserved by Existing Exoskeletons: Design and Preliminary Evaluation.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSWe developed a method for integrating back-assist exosuit capabilities into regular clothing to make musculoskeletal relief accessible to more workers. We demonstrated proof-of-concept that this uniform-integrated exosuit can be effective and usable. Existing occupational exosuits are standalone accessories worn on top of a user's clothing and are not suitable for all workers.