TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of a passive exoskeleton for static upper limb activities
AU - Huysamen, Kirsten
AU - Bosch, Tim
AU - de Looze, Michiel
AU - Stadler, Konrad S.
AU - Graf, Eveline
AU - O'Sullivan, Leonard W.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2018/7
Y1 - 2018/7
N2 - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a passive upper body exoskeleton on muscle activity, perceived musculoskeletal effort, local perceived pressure and subjective usability for a static overhead task. Eight participants (4 male, 4 female) held a load (0 kg and 2 kg) three times overhead for a duration of 30 s each, both with and without the exoskeleton. Muscle activity was significantly reduced for the Biceps Brachii (49%) and Medial Deltoid (62%) by the device for the 2 kg load. Perceived effort of the arms was significantly lower with the device for the 2 kg load (41%). The device did not have a significant effect on trunk or leg muscle activity (for the 2 kg load) or perceived effort. Local perceived pressure was rated below 2 (low pressure levels) for all contact areas assessed. Half of the participants rated the device usability as acceptable. The exoskeleton reduced muscle activity and perceived effort by the arms, and had no significant negative effect on the trunk and lower body with regards to muscle activity, perceived effort and localised discomfort.
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a passive upper body exoskeleton on muscle activity, perceived musculoskeletal effort, local perceived pressure and subjective usability for a static overhead task. Eight participants (4 male, 4 female) held a load (0 kg and 2 kg) three times overhead for a duration of 30 s each, both with and without the exoskeleton. Muscle activity was significantly reduced for the Biceps Brachii (49%) and Medial Deltoid (62%) by the device for the 2 kg load. Perceived effort of the arms was significantly lower with the device for the 2 kg load (41%). The device did not have a significant effect on trunk or leg muscle activity (for the 2 kg load) or perceived effort. Local perceived pressure was rated below 2 (low pressure levels) for all contact areas assessed. Half of the participants rated the device usability as acceptable. The exoskeleton reduced muscle activity and perceived effort by the arms, and had no significant negative effect on the trunk and lower body with regards to muscle activity, perceived effort and localised discomfort.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042929821&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.009
DO - 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 29866305
AN - SCOPUS:85042929821
SN - 0003-6870
VL - 70
SP - 148
EP - 155
JO - Applied Ergonomics
JF - Applied Ergonomics
ER -