» Articles » PMID: 30509514

Impact of Two Postural Assist Exoskeletons on Biomechanical Loading of the Lumbar Spine

Overview
Journal Appl Ergon
Specialty Psychology
Date 2018 Dec 5
PMID 30509514
Citations 10
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

This study evaluated loading on the low back while wearing two commercially available postural assist exoskeletons. Ten male subjects lifted a box from multiple lift origins (combinations of vertical height and asymmetry) to a common destination using a squatting lifting technique with and without the use of either exoskeleton. Dependent measures included subject kinematics, moment arms between the torso or weight being lifted and the lumbar spine, and spinal loads as predicted by an electromyography-driven spine model. One of the exoskeletons tested (StrongArm Technologies™ FLx) reduced peak torso flexion at the shin lift origin, but differences in moment arms or spinal loads attributable to either of the interventions were not observed. Thus, industrial exoskeletons designed to control posture may not be beneficial in reducing biomechanical loads on the lumbar spine. Interventions altering the external manual materials handling environment (lift origin, load weight) may be more appropriate when implementation is fesible.

Citing Articles

Fatigue assessment for back-support exoskeletons during repetitive lifting tasks.

Xiang X, Tanaka M, Umeno S, Kikuchi Y, Kobayashi Y Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2024; 12:1418775.

PMID: 39386040 PMC: 11461313. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1418775.


Training and Familiarization with Industrial Exoskeletons: A Review of Considerations, Protocols, and Approaches for Effective Implementation.

Kuber P, Rashedi E Biomimetics (Basel). 2024; 9(9).

PMID: 39329542 PMC: 11430590. DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9090520.


A versatile knee exoskeleton mitigates quadriceps fatigue in lifting, lowering, and carrying tasks.

Divekar N, Thomas G, Yerva A, Frame H, Gregg R Sci Robot. 2024; 9(94):eadr8282.

PMID: 39292806 PMC: 11507003. DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adr8282.


Occupational exoskeletons: A roadmap toward large-scale adoption. Methodology and challenges of bringing exoskeletons to workplaces.

Crea S, Beckerle P, De Looze M, De Pauw K, Grazi L, Kermavnar T Wearable Technol. 2024; 2:e11.

PMID: 38486625 PMC: 10936259. DOI: 10.1017/wtc.2021.11.


The effect of a soft active back support exosuit on trunk motion and thoracolumbar spine loading during squat and stoop lifts.

Banks J, Quirk D, Chung J, Cherin J, Walsh C, Anderson D Ergonomics. 2024; 68(2):223-236.

PMID: 38389220 PMC: 11339243. DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2024.2320355.