A passive back exoskeleton supporting symmetric and asymmetric lifting in stoop and squat posture reduces trunk and hip extensor muscle activity and adjusts body posture - A laboratory study

The influence of a passive exoskeleton was assessed during repetitive lifting with different lifting styles (squat, stoop) and orientations (frontal/symmetric, lateral/asymmetric) on trunk and hip extensor muscle activity (primary outcomes), abdominal, leg, and shoulder muscle activity, joint kinematics, and heart rate (secondary outcomes). Using the exoskeleton significantly and partially clinically relevant reduced median/peak activity of the erector spinae (<6%), biceps femoris (<28%), rectus abdominis (<6%) and increased median/peak activity of the vastus lateralis (<69%), trapezius descendens (<19%), and median knee (<6%) and hip flexion angles (<11%). Using the exoskeleton had only limited influence on muscular responses. The findings imply the exoskeleton particularly supports hip extension and requires an adjusted body posture during lifting with different styles and orientations. The potential of using exoskeletons for primary/secondary prevention of musculoskeletal disorders should be investigated in future research including a greater diversity of users in terms of age, gender, health status.

Automated summary

The study assessed the influence of a passive exoskeleton during repetitive lifting, showing that the exoskeleton significantly reduced activity of some muscles and particularly supported hip extension. However, the impact on muscular responses was limited. Future research should further explore the potential of exoskeletons for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.