Presentation
Evaluating Rigid and Soft Back-Support Exoskeletons for Roofing: Biomechanical Benefits and Trade-Offs
DescriptionRoofing is among the most physically demanding construction trades, associated with high rates of low back injuries. Passive back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) have been proposed as a potential intervention to reduce physical demands, yet little is known about the effectiveness of different BSE types (rigid vs. soft) for roofing work. Eighteen participants performed lab-based simulations of roofing tasks under 12 different conditions. These conditions included two types of BSEs (rigid and soft) and a control (No BSE), task locations (middle row and bottom row of a mock roof), and roof slopes (18° and 26°). Outcome measures included lumbar muscle activation, lumbar kinematics, and ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort. Using the rigid BSE significantly reduced lumbar muscle activity (11–17%), lateral bending (~18%), and axial rotation (~15%), whereas using the soft BSE significantly decreased lumbar flexion (~9%) and axial rotation (~16%) compared to No BSE. Both BSEs reduced perceived exertion and discomfort in the low back (~16%); however, the rigid BSE increased leg discomfort (~26%), and the soft BSE increased shoulder exertion (~19%). Our results suggest that using BSEs can be beneficial in roofing tasks, but also highlight the importance of balancing biomechanical benefits with device-specific trade-offs to ensure effective application.
Contributors
Event Type
Lecture
TimeFriday, October 17th8:20am - 8:40am CDT
LocationGrand Hall K
Occupational Ergonomics
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