Back Exoskeletons For Construction Workers: Investigation Of Human-Exoskeleton Interaction Forces

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent issue among construction workers, with prevalence rates ranging from 27% to 52%. This significant burden not only affects worker health but also incurs substantial economic costs, exemplified by Brazil's annual expenditure of approximately USD $500 million and Spain's EUR €8945.6 million in related costs. To mitigate LBP, back exoskeletons have emerged as promising solutions, designed to reduce low back load during repetitive lifting tasks. This study compares the human-exoskeleton interaction forces in three back exoskeletons - SV Exosuit (a soft active exosuit integrated with a safety vest), Laevo V2 (a rigid passive exoskeleton), and MATE-XB (also rigid and passive) - through experimental tasks involving bending and squatting. Three healthy male participants performed these tasks while wearing each exoskeleton, during which human-exoskeleton interaction forces at the thigh and shoulder/chest were measured. Results demonstrated that SV Exosuit produced higher contact forces at both body regions, attributed to its smaller contact area and less cushioning material. Conversely, Laevo V2 exhibited two peaks in contact forces during a motion cycle due to its torque generation mechanism, highlighting the influence of supporting torque design on user comfort. This research underscores the critical need for optimizing exoskeleton designs to enhance comfort and usability in construction settings. Future studies should investigate a larger sample size and additional body regions to comprehensively assess the relationship between supportive torque, contact forces, joint angle, and user comfort.