Effects of an industrial passive assistive exoskeleton on muscle activity, oxygen consumption and subjective responses during lifting tasks

PLoS One. 2021 Jan 20;16(1):e0245629. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245629. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an industrial passive assisted exoskeleton (IPAE) with simulated lifting tasks on muscle activity, oxygen consumption, perceived level of exertion, local perceived pressure, and systemic usability. Eight workers were required to complete two lifting tasks with and without the IPAE, that were single lifting tasks (repeated 5 times) and 15 min repeated lifting tasks respectively. Both of the tasks required subjects to remove a toolbox from the ground to the waist height. The test results showed that IPAE significantly reduced the muscle activity of the lumbar erector spinae, thoracic erector spinae, middle deltoid and labrum-biceps muscles; the reduction effect during the 15 min lifting task was reached 21%, 12%, 32% and 38% respectively. The exoskeleton did not cause significant differences in oxygen consumption and the perceived level of exertion, but local perceived pressure on the shoulders, thighs, wrists, and waist of the subjects could be produced. 50% of the subjects rated the usability of the equipment as acceptable. The results illustrate the good potential of the exoskeleton to reduce the muscle activity of the low back and upper arms. However, there is still a concern for the obvious contact pressure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electromyography*
  • Exoskeleton Device*
  • Humans
  • Lifting*
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Oxygen Consumption*
  • Range of Motion, Articular

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co., Ltd. State Key Laboratory of Special Vehicles and Drive Systems Intelligent Manufacturing Project Open Project (GZ2019KF001; GZ2019KF007). Visualization: T.M.;project administration: N.Z.