Effect of Varying Soft Actuator Band Positions of a Wearable Assist Device on Gait Simulation of Lower Limb Muscle Force

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2020 Jul:2020:3150-3153. doi: 10.1109/EMBC44109.2020.9176430.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of changing the application points and directions of the soft actuator band of a wearable hip assist device on muscle force and joint kinematics during gait. Healthy adult participants walked under four conditions with varying band positions of a soft wearable hip assist device. The three-dimensional coordinates of markers and ground reaction force data were measured during gait. Lower limb muscle forces and joint angles were calculated using a musculoskeletal model. Our results showed that the position and running direction of the soft actuator band decreased the forces of the iliopsoas and hamstring muscles.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait*
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity
  • Walking
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*