Assessing the Impact of Active Back Support Exoskeletons on Muscular Activity during Construction Tasks: Insights from Physiological Sensing

Amit Ojha, Hongyu Guo, Houtan Jebelli, Anne Martin, Abiola Akanmu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Active exoskeletons are emerging as ergonomic solutions in the construction sector to reduce work-related musculoskeletal injuries. While the benefits of active exoskeletons are promising, they can also cause increased muscle activity, leading to local muscular fatigue. This study aimed to examine the impact of the active exoskeleton system on the muscular activity of construction workers during common construction activities. Ten subjects completed material handling tasks under two weight conditions (10 and 30 lbs) in a lab-controlled environment, with and without using an active exoskeleton. Portable electromyography (EMG) sensors were used to measure lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscle activity in each condition. Four descriptive statistics features in the time and frequency domains were extracted from the collected signals. Results of the t-test showed a significant difference in the physiological metrics extracted from the subjects' EMG signals of the LES muscle. Findings demonstrated that using active exoskeletons reduces the internal muscle force in the lower back regions of construction workers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationComputing in Civil Engineering 2023
Subtitle of host publicationResilience, Safety, and Sustainability - Selected Papers from the ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
EditorsYelda Turkan, Joseph Louis, Fernanda Leite, Semiha Ergan
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers
Pages340-347
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780784485248
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Externally publishedYes
EventASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering 2023: Resilience, Safety, and Sustainability, i3CE 2023 - Corvallis, United States
Duration: Jun 25 2023Jun 28 2023

Publication series

NameComputing in Civil Engineering 2023: Resilience, Safety, and Sustainability - Selected Papers from the ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering 2023

Conference

ConferenceASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering 2023: Resilience, Safety, and Sustainability, i3CE 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCorvallis
Period6/25/236/28/23

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Computer Science
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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