The relationship between preference and performance using three passive exoskeletons during simulated aircraft manufacturing tasks

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Authors
Alqahtani, Haifa
Advisors
Hakansson, Nils A.
Jorgensen, Michael J.
Jaeger, Adam
Issue Date
2022-04-29
Type
Abstract
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Citation
Alqahtani, H.; Hakansson, N. A; Jorgensen, M. J.; Jaeger, A. 2022. The relationship between preference and performance using three passive exoskeletons during simulated aircraft manufacturing tasks -- In Proceedings: 18th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University
Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the top workplace risk factors that impact the health of workers. In Kansas, there were 45,253 reported injuries/illnesses during the 2020 fiscal year. The main contributors to shoulder WMSDs are lifting one's arms and handling heavy tools at or above shoulder level. Passive shoulder exoskeletons are designed to support the arms during overhead work tasks and may aid in reducing the risk of WMSDs. However, exoskeletons are only effective if workers choose to wear them. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to quantify participants' upper-extremity muscle activity reductions as participants performed simulated aircraft manufacturing tasks using three passive exoskeletons and assess correlations between the exoskeleton efficacy and user exoskeleton preferences. To fulfill these objectives, 16 experienced local aircraft manufacturers were recruited to participate in the study. A wireless electromyography (EMG) system was used to record muscle activity levels as the participants performed the simulated work tasks with the exoskeletons. The muscle activity and exoskeleton preference data were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model to identify the relationship between participants' muscle activity reduction and exoskeleton preference rankings. The results indicate that the exoskeleton preferences do not correlate with muscle activity reductions. Overall, participants preferred the exoskeleton that provided the least reduction in muscle activity. This study demonstrated that a correlation between the preference and exoskeleton muscle reduction is task dependent, and, therefore, task factors in addition to user preference should be considered in exoskeleton selection.

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Description
Presented to the 18th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 29, 2022
Research completed in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering; Department of Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Publisher
Wichita State University
Journal
Book Title
Series
GRASP
v. 18
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