Changes in Human Motor Behavior during the Familiarization with a Soft Back-Support Occupational Exoskeleton
Source abstract
Abstract
Soft back exoskeletons are aimed at reducing musculoskeletal effort during manual handling tasks, contributing to the prevention of low back disorders like lumbar strains and sprains or intervertebral disk problems. However, large differences in their biomechanical effects are observed in the literature. A possible explanation could be the lack or disparity of familiarization protocols with the exoskeleton. The aim of this experimental study was to characterize the familiarization process with a soft back-support occupational exoskeleton and determine the time needed to stabilize biomechanical variables. Participants carried out 6 familiarization sessions of 1 h to the CORFOR® soft back-exoskeleton. Joint kinematics, postural stability, exoskeleton pressure perception, muscle activity, and performance were measured at the beginning of the first session and at the end of each session during stoop and squat liftings. Results showed that back kinematics, performance, and exoskeleton pressure perception changed during the first sessions and stabilized after sessions 3 or 4, depending on the variable. The authors recommend a familiarization protocol for the CORFOR® soft back-exoskeleton of 4 sessions of 1 h duration. This recommendation could help CORFOR® users, for instance, in the automotive industry, the food retail industry, or the agriculture field.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery · Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Université de Lorraine, DevAH, F-54000 Nancy, France
Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, GIPSA-Lab, F-38000 Grenoble, France
Université de Lorraine, Faculty of Sport Sciences, F-54000 Nancy, France
References (39)
Show source-provided references
1. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2019). Work-Related MSDs: Prevalence, Costs and Demographics in the EU: European Risk Observatory Executive Summary, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
2. How Ergonomic Evaluations Influence the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Industrial Context? A Brief Literature Review10.1007/978-3-030-89617-1_36 ↗
3. Exoskeletons for Industrial Application and Their Potential Effects on Physical Work Load10.1080/00140139.2015.1081988 ↗
4. The Technical Trend of the Exoskeleton Robot System for Human Power Assistance10.1007/s12541-012-0197-x ↗
5. Lower Limb Exoskeletons Some Examples of Application
6. Occupational Exoskeletons: Overview of Their Benefits and Limitations in Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders10.1080/24725838.2019.1638331 ↗
7. PLAD (Personal Lift Assistive Device) Stiffness Affects the Lumbar Flexion/Extension Moment and the Posterior Chain EMG during Symmetrical Lifting Tasks10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.12.002 ↗
8. Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on the Mechanical Loading of the Low Back in Static Holding Tasks10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.11.033 ↗
9. Effect of a Personal Weight Transfer Device on Muscle Activities and Joint Flexions in the Stooped Posture10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.08.014 ↗
10. A Field Evaluation of Arm-Support Exoskeletons for Overhead Work Applications in Automotive Assembly10.1080/24725838.2018.1563010 ↗
11. Physiological Consequences of Using an Upper Limb Exoskeleton during Manual Handling Tasks10.1016/j.apergo.2017.10.008 ↗
12. The Effect of Control Strategies for an Active Back-Support Exoskeleton on Spine Loading and Kinematics during Lifting10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.04.044 ↗
13. Metabolic Cost Adaptations during Training with a Soft Exosuit Assisting the Hip Joint10.1038/s41598-019-45914-5 ↗
14. Adaptation to Walking with an Exoskeleton That Assists Ankle Extension10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.01.029 ↗
15. Adaptive Representation of Dynamics during Learning of a Motor Task10.1523/JNEUROSCI.14-05-03208.1994 ↗
16. Exploring the Change in Metabolic Cost of Walking before and after Familiarization with a Passive Load-Bearing Exoskeleton: A Case Series10.1080/24725838.2022.2124325 ↗
17. Considerations for Industrial Use: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Active and Passive Upper Limb Exoskeletons on Physical Exposures10.1080/24725838.2019.1684399 ↗
18. Experimental Evaluation of a Shoulder-Support Exoskeleton for Overhead Work: Influences of Peak Torque Amplitude, Task, and Tool Mass10.1080/24725838.2019.1637799 ↗
19. The Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Muscle Activity, Discomfort and Endurance Time in Forward Bending Work10.1016/j.apergo.2015.12.003 ↗
20. On the Analysis of Movement Smoothness10.1186/s12984-015-0090-9 ↗
21. Schwartz, M., Theurel, J., and Desbrosses, K. (2021). Effectiveness of Soft versus Rigid Back-Support Exoskeletons during a Lifting Task. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.10.3390/ijerph18158062 ↗
22. (2011). Ergonomics—Manual Load Handling for Lifting, Moving and Pushing/Pulling–Analysis Methodology and Threshold Values (Standard No. NF X 35-109).
23. Stoop or Squat: A Review of Biomechanical Studies on Lifting Technique10.1016/S0268-0033(99)00031-5 ↗
24. Von Arx, M., Liechti, M., Connolly, L., Bangerter, C., Meier, M.L., and Schmid, S. (2021). From Stoop to Squat: A Comprehensive Analysis of Lumbar Loading Among Different Lifting Styles. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 9.10.3389/fbioe.2021.769117 ↗
25. Effectiveness of Motor Sequential Learning According to Practice Schedules in Healthy Adults; Distributed Practice versus Massed Practice10.1589/jpts.27.769 ↗
26. Spacing Practice Sessions across Days Benefits the Learning of Motor Skills10.1016/S0167-9457(00)00021-X ↗
27. Accelerating Locomotor Savings in Learning: Compressing Four Training Days to One10.1152/jn.00903.2017 ↗
28. An On-Body Personal Lift Augmentation Device (PLAD) Reduces EMG Amplitude of Erector Spinae during Lifting Tasks10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2005.12.021 ↗
29. Feasibility of a Biomechanically-Assistive Garment to Reduce Low Back Loading During Leaning and Lifting10.1109/TBME.2017.2761455 ↗
30. A Joint Coordinate System for the Clinical Description of Three-Dimensional Motions: Application to the Knee10.1115/1.3138397 ↗
31. ISB Recommendation on Definitions of Joint Coordinate System of Various Joints for the Reporting of Human Joint Motion—Part I: Ankle, Hip, and Spine10.1016/S0021-9290(01)00222-6 ↗
32. Hermens, H., and Freriks, B. (1997). The State of the Art on Sensors and Sensor Placement Procedures for Surface Electromyography: A Proposal for Sensor Placement Procedures, Roessingh Research and Development.
33. Development of NASA-TLX (Task Load Index): Results of Empirical and Theoretical Research10.1016/S0166-4115(08)62386-9 ↗
34. Position and Orientation in Space of Bones during Movement: Anatomical Frame Definition and Determination10.1016/0268-0033(95)91394-T ↗
35. Making Smooth Moves10.1038/29406 ↗
36. Influence of Sidestepping Expertise and Core Stability on Knee Joint Loading during Change of Direction10.1080/02640414.2022.2042980 ↗
37. Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Semi-Passive Upper-Limb Exoskeleton for Workers With Motorized Tuning of Assistance10.1109/TNSRE.2020.3014408 ↗
38. Objective and Subjective Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Overhead Work10.1109/TNSRE.2019.2945368 ↗
39. Online and Offline Contributions to Motor Learning Change with Practice, but Are Similar across Development10.1007/s00221-019-05639-3 ↗