Title
Evaluation of a passive exoskeleton for static upper limb activities
Author
Huysamen, K.
Bosch, T.
de Looze, M.
Stadler, K.S.
Graf, E.
O'Sullivan, L.W.
Publication year
2018
Abstract
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. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd
Subject
Life
SP - Sustainable Productivity and Employability
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Work and Employment
Workplace
Healthy Living
Muscle
Biceps brachii
Contact areas
Leg muscles
Low pressures
Lower body
Muscle activities
Upper bodies
Upper limbs
Exoskeleton (Robotics)
Adult
Biceps brachii muscle
Deltoid muscle
Exoskeleton
Female
Human
Human experiment
Hypobarism
Leg muscle
Male
Muscle function
Trunk
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e90305a3-1530-4965-9eaa-9bdaac03d98f
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.009
TNO identifier
787793
ISSN
0003-6870
Source
Applied Ergonomics, 70, 148-155
Document type
article