Ergonomic evaluation of passive lower-limb exoskeletons in simulated industrial tasks at non-optimal workstations.
Background: Industrial tasks often require workers to maintain awkward static postures at non-optimal workstations, leading to physical strain and musculoskeletal issues. Exoskeletons offer potential ergonomic benefits by reducing physical workload. However, the efficacy of passive lower-limb exoske...
| Publicado en: | Work Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 749 - 762 |
|---|---|
| Autores principales: | , , , , , |
| Formato: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Sage Publications Inc.
Jul2026
|
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=194971336&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 194971336 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 10519815 3RC jtl: Work issn: 10519815 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Jul2026 vid: 84 iid: 3 pid: 344 pub: Sage Publications Inc. place: Thousand Oaks, California artinfo: ui: 194971336 191675146 194971336 194971336 10.1177/10519815261416883 194971336 ppf: 749 ppct: 13 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Ergonomic evaluation of passive lower-limb exoskeletons in simulated industrial tasks at non-optimal workstations. aug: au: Ardiyanto, Ardiyanto Nazar, Muhammad Rama Ramadhan, Rachmad Falah Putera, Dewa Ngurah Mahaswara Herawati, Dian Herianto, Herianto affil: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia sug: subj: Ergonomics Evaluation Exoskeleton Devices Therapeutic Use Lower Extremity Physiopathology Simulations Task Performance and Analysis Work Environment Occupational Health Musculoskeletal Diseases Prevention and Control Human Male Adult Funding Source Biomechanics Electromyography Methods Posture Standing Occupational Diseases Prevention and Control Low Back Pain Prevention and Control Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention and Control Equipment Design Standards Occupational Exposure Exertion Range of Motion Risk Assessment Models, Statistical Muscle Contraction Pain Measurement Post Hoc Analysis Analysis of Variance Adult: 19-44 years Male ab: Background: Industrial tasks often require workers to maintain awkward static postures at non-optimal workstations, leading to physical strain and musculoskeletal issues. Exoskeletons offer potential ergonomic benefits by reducing physical workload. However, the efficacy of passive lower-limb exoskeletons in non-optimal workstation conditions remains unclear. Objectives: This study examines the ergonomic efficacy of a passive lower-limb exoskeleton during simulated industrial tasks performed at workstations with varying heights and tilt angles. Methods: Sixteen participants performed bolting tasks at workstations configured at two heights (60 cm and 90 cm) and three tilt angles (0°, 45°, and 90°), under exoskeleton and non-exoskeleton conditions. Assessments included muscle activity (erector spinae and rectus femoris), joint angles (lumbar, hips, and knees), segmental REBA scores, perceived exertion, and perceived discomfort. Mixed-effects and generalized linear mixed models evaluated the impact of workstation conditions and exoskeleton use. Results: The exoskeleton reduced erector spinae muscle activity by an average of 39% and supported more neutral hip and knee postures (p < 0.001), though it increased rectus femoris activity at the higher workstation (p < 0.001) and segmental REBA scores for the trunk and leg under specific conditions (p < 0.001). Furthermore, although exoskeleton use did not have a significant effect on perceived exertion or discomfort, workstation height significantly influenced both variables (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: The passive lower-limb exoskeleton may reduce specific muscle loads and improve posture in non-ideal settings, though its efficacy varies by workstation configuration. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
|---|