| Sumario: | Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a trunk passive exoskeleton on trunk neuromuscular control and lower body kinematics in an elderly population. Methods: Thirteen elderly participants, 8 men, 5 women, mean age 68.8 ± 6.7 yr, wore a passive exoskeleton to lift and drop a 5.7 kg box at 40 degrees trunk flexion. Lumbar muscle activation was recorded via electromyography and movement strategies using kinematic data from passive markers. Joint angles and electromyographic root mean square amplitude were compared using t-test between conditions (with and without exoskeleton) during both tasks. Results: During the lifting task, no muscle activation and kinematic differences were observed between conditions. During the dropping task, participants with the exoskeleton showed decreased trunk flexion angle by up to 4.1°, between 31% and 60% of the task (p = 0.006). No other significant differences were observed. Discussion: Passive exoskeletons can help the elderly by reducing trunk flexion without changing muscle activity.
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