Development and Investigation of a Wearable Aid for a Load Carriage Task

Saad A. Alabdulkarim, Abdulsalam M. Farhan and Mohamed Z. Ramadan
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Saad A. Alabdulkarim: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Abdulsalam M. Farhan: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Z. Ramadan: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Anterior load carriage tasks are common and can lead to musculoskeletal disorders such as lower back pain. The objectives of this study were to develop a wearable carriage aid and examine its effectiveness on physical demands while considering the potential moderating influence of the carried load. The study consisted of two within-subject factors: device and load. For the former, two levels were tested: with and without the device worn. For the latter, two loads were examined: 15 and 30% of each individual’s body mass. Sixteen participants walked on a treadmill for five minutes at a constant speed for each condition. Physical demands were quantified using objective (EMG-based) and subjective (discomfort) measures. Wearing the device reduced static and median anterior deltoid, trapezius, and biceps brachii muscle activations. Increasing the carried load increased most physical demand measures. Two significant Device × Load interactions were observed; for the anterior deltoid and trapezius median activation measures, the influence of increasing load was lower when the device was worn. While slightly increasing perceived discomfort in the lower back, wearing the device reduced shoulder, neck, and hand/wrist discomfort. While the study demonstrated a potential for the device, future work is required under more realistic and diverse testing conditions.

Keywords: assistive device; wearable aid; anterior load carriage; interventions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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