Presentation
Effects of Back-Support Exoskeletons on Low Back Muscle Activity and Trunk Posture Associated with Simulated Manual Timber Felling
DescriptionManual timber felling involves sustained trunk flexion, posing substantial strain in the low back. While passive back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) are shown to effectively reduce low back strain in various industrial settings, their effectiveness has not been studied in manual timber felling. This repeated-measure laboratory study evaluated the effects of two passive BSEs on trunk posture and low back muscle activity while twenty male participants performed simulated timber felling with and without two different BSEs at three cutting heights (low, medium, high). The results showed that BESs significantly affected trunk posture and low back muscle activity, but their effects depended on the cutting height. BSEs were more effective in reducing low back strain at the medium cutting height where trunk flexion was greatest compared to the low and high cutting heights, where trunk flexion was much smaller. Given that the BSEs have an activation range of 20–60°, trunk flexion at the low or high cutting height may have been insufficient to fully activate their supporting mechanisms. These results highlight the need for task-specific exoskeleton selection and application, ensuring that the support provided aligns with actual working postures.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeWednesday, October 15th2:10pm - 2:30pm CDT
LocationGrand C/D South
Occupational Ergonomics
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