Evaluation of the HeroWear Apex back-assist exosuit during multiple brief tasks. (20th September 2021)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Evaluation of the HeroWear Apex back-assist exosuit during multiple brief tasks. (20th September 2021)
- Main Title:
- Evaluation of the HeroWear Apex back-assist exosuit during multiple brief tasks
- Authors:
- Goršič, Maja
Song, Yu
Dai, Boyi
Novak, Domen - Abstract:
- Abstract: Trunk exoskeletons are wearable devices that support humans during physically demanding tasks by reducing biomechanical loads on the back. While most trunk exoskeletons are rigid devices, more lightweight soft exoskeletons (exosuits) have recently been developed. One such exosuit is the HeroWear Apex, which achieved promising results in the developers' own work but has not been independently evaluated. This paper thus presents an evaluation of the Apex with 20 adult participants during multiple brief tasks: standing up from a stool with a symmetric or asymmetric load, lifting a unilateral or bilateral load from the floor to waist level, lifting the same bilateral load with a 90-degree turn to the right, lowering a bilateral load from waist level to floor, and walking while carrying a bilateral load. The tasks were performed in an ABA-style protocol: first with exosuit assistance disengaged, then with it engaged, then disengaged again. Four measurement types were taken: electromyography (of the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, and middle trapezius), trunk kinematics, self-report ratings, and heart rate. The exosuit decreased the erector spinae electromyogram by about 15% during object lifting and lowering tasks; furthermore, participants found the exosuit mildly to moderately helpful. No adverse effects on other muscles or during non-lifting tasks were noted, and a decrease in middle trapezius electromyogram was observed for one task. This confirms that theAbstract: Trunk exoskeletons are wearable devices that support humans during physically demanding tasks by reducing biomechanical loads on the back. While most trunk exoskeletons are rigid devices, more lightweight soft exoskeletons (exosuits) have recently been developed. One such exosuit is the HeroWear Apex, which achieved promising results in the developers' own work but has not been independently evaluated. This paper thus presents an evaluation of the Apex with 20 adult participants during multiple brief tasks: standing up from a stool with a symmetric or asymmetric load, lifting a unilateral or bilateral load from the floor to waist level, lifting the same bilateral load with a 90-degree turn to the right, lowering a bilateral load from waist level to floor, and walking while carrying a bilateral load. The tasks were performed in an ABA-style protocol: first with exosuit assistance disengaged, then with it engaged, then disengaged again. Four measurement types were taken: electromyography (of the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, and middle trapezius), trunk kinematics, self-report ratings, and heart rate. The exosuit decreased the erector spinae electromyogram by about 15% during object lifting and lowering tasks; furthermore, participants found the exosuit mildly to moderately helpful. No adverse effects on other muscles or during non-lifting tasks were noted, and a decrease in middle trapezius electromyogram was observed for one task. This confirms that the HeroWear Apex could reduce muscle demand and fatigue. The results may transfer to other exoskeletons with similar design principles, and may inform researchers working with other wearable devices. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of biomechanics. Volume 126(2021)
- Journal:
- Journal of biomechanics
- Issue:
- Volume 126(2021)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 126, Issue 2021 (2021)
- Year:
- 2021
- Volume:
- 126
- Issue:
- 2021
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2021-0126-2021-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2021-09-20
- Subjects:
- Trunk exoskeletons -- Exosuits -- HeroWear Apex -- Lifting -- Low-back pain
Animal mechanics -- Periodicals
Biomechanics -- Periodicals
Biomechanics -- Periodicals
Mécanique animale -- Périodiques
Biomécanique -- Périodiques
Electronic journals
571.4305 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00219290 ↗
http://www.clinicalkey.com/dura/browse/journalIssue/00219290 ↗
http://www.clinicalkey.com.au/dura/browse/journalIssue/00219290 ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110620 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0021-9290
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 4953.600000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 19545.xml