Evaluation of a Soft Exoskeleton to Support Forward Leaning and Lifting

"Evaluation of a Soft Exoskeleton With Parallel Springs and Its Ability to Reduce Physical Load During Lifting and Leaning"

In this study the LiftSuit version 2.0 designed by Auxivo AG will be used. The LiftSuit is a soft wearable device that is designed to support workers perform physically demanding tasks including repetitive lifting and working in forward leaning positions. It is put on like a backpack and attached to the body using fabric bands and cuffs. Besides soft fabric parts the LiftSuit contains elastics elements. The elastic elements can be flexibly exchanged by the experimenter. For this experiment elastic elements of known stiffness will be hooked into the fabric frame.

In a first step participants will try on the LiftSuit exoskeleton and adjust it to their body under supervision of the experimenter. When the LiftSuit exoskeleton is adjusted to the participant it is taken off to allow placement of sensors. The sensors used to record heart rate (Polar H9 heart rate monitor, Polar Electro Europe AG, Germany), muscle activity from 8 muscles in the back and hip region (Delsys Trigno, Delsys Europe, United Kingdom) and movement kinematics (OptiTrack motion capture system, NaturalPoint Inc., USA) will be placed by the experimenter (or participant him/herself). To verify that the electromyography sensors, are working and to obtain normalization values, participants will be instructed to conduct maximal voluntary contractions of each muscle that are being recorded. If needed single sensors can be replaced. After this the exoskeleton will be put back on.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Included will be volunteers of both sexes within working age (18 to 65 years).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants will be excluded if they cannot perform the tasks (squat lifting and forward leaning) due to physical limitations. Furthermore, people who report acute joint or muscle pain or stiffness, or a self-reported history of such problems will be excluded.