Evaluation of a Soft Exoskeleton to Support Forward Leaning and Lifting
Condition: Occupational Exposure
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      In this study the LiftSuit version 2.0 designed by Auxivo AG will be used. The LiftSuit is a
      soft wearable device that is designed to support workers perform physically demanding tasks
      including repetitive lifting and working in forward leaning positions. It is put on like a
      backpack and attached to the body using fabric bands and cuffs. Besides soft fabric parts the
      LiftSuit contains elastics elements. The elastic elements can be flexibly exchanged by the
      experimenter. For this experiment elastic elements of known stiffness will be hooked into the
      fabric frame.
    

Detailed description: 
      In a first step participants will try on the LiftSuit exoskeleton and adjust it to their body
      under supervision of the experimenter. When the LiftSuit exoskeleton is adjusted to the
      participant it is taken off to allow placement of sensors. The sensors used to record heart
      rate (Polar H9 heart rate monitor, Polar Electro Europe AG, Germany), muscle activity from 8
      muscles in the back and hip region (Delsys Trigno, Delsys Europe, United Kingdom) and
      movement kinematics (OptiTrack motion capture system, NaturalPoint Inc., USA) will be placed
      by the experimenter (or participant him/herself). To verify that the electromyography
      sensors, are working and to obtain normalization values, participants will be instructed to
      conduct maximal voluntary contractions of each muscle that are being recorded. If needed
      single sensors can be replaced. After this the exoskeleton will be put back on.
    

Intervention name(s): Placebo LiftSuit Exoskeleton; LiftSuit Exoskeleton (low support level); LiftSuit Exoskeleton (medium support level); LiftSuit Exoskeleton (high support level)
Intervention type(s): Device; Device; Device; Device
Intervention description(s): The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). In this condition the EES are removed from the device to create a placebo device.; The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). EES of different three different levels of stiffness (low, medium, high stiffness) will be used.; The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). EES of different three different levels of stiffness (low, medium, high stiffness) will be used.; The LiftSuit is a soft passive wearable device that is designed to support the hip and back muscles during forward leaning and lifting. It exerts it function through Elastic Energy Storages (EES). EES of different three different levels of stiffness (low, medium, high stiffness) will be used.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention