Passive knee exoskeletons in functional tasks: Biomechanical effects of a <i>SpringExo</i> coil-spring on squats

Abstract Passive wearable exoskeletons are desirable as they can provide assistance during user movements while still maintaining a simple and low-profile design. These be useful in industrial tasks where an ergonomic device could aid load lifting without inconveniencing them reducing fatigue stress the lower limbs. The SpringExo is coil-spring design that aids knee extension. In this paper, we describe muscle activation of flexors extensors from seven healthy participants repeated squats. outcome measures timings key events squat, flexion angle, rectus femoris bicep femoris, foot pressure characteristics participants. assess possible effects operations reduced effort muscles desired ascent phase changing kinematics. results show significantly decreased (−2%) affecting either or activations descent. This implies perform descent added with effort. exoskeleton showed other on biomechanics user, increasing average squat time (+0.02 s) maximum (+0.1 s), decreasing angle (−4°). has no effect loading placement, is, did not have to revise their stance using device.