Investigation of Possible Effects of Wearing Exoskeletons during Welding on Heart Rate

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the possible effects of wearing exoskeletons during welding on heart rate. Additionally, the validity of a measuring instrument for determining acute heart rate is to be assessed. N = 15 young healthy subjects with welding experience took part in the study. The study design defines a one-hour workflow that abstracts welding and grinding tasks. The sequence is based on the internationally recognized standard DIN EN ISO 9606-1 and reproduces authentic work sequences in constrained body positions. Each subject completed the workflow once with and once without an exoskeleton. Recorded measures were the heart rates measured by a wrist-worn smartwatch and by Impedance Cardiography (ICG). The average heart rate shows no statistically significant differences in the measurement series with and without exoskeletons. The temporal variation of the heart rate shows a statistically significant influence of wearing exoskeletons and provides a moderate to strong effect, corresponding to a Cohens d of d = 0.78. Only 28.57% of all data series obtained with a smartwatch were equivalent to ICG-data after analysis with t-test, Pearson’s correlation, and orthogonal regression. Using averaged heart rates to assess exoskeleton effects is not a suitable measure. A trend analysis using linear regression shows moderate to strong statistically significant effects in the time course of heart rates and provides an approach to evaluate exoskeleton-induced effects.

Objective and subjective evaluation of a passive low-back exoskeleton during simulated logistics tasks

“…In general, we agree with Schalk et al ( 2022 ) that heart rate likely seems unsuitable to assess short-term effects of exoskeletons. However, Schalk et al ( 2022 ) found significant differences in the slope of the heart rate over a 30-min period. This suggests that investigations of physiological effects require long-term studies.…”

“…One participant experienced an increase in heart rate by almost 30% when wearing the exoskeleton, whereas for another person, heart rate decreased by more than 36%. Similar trends were observed by Schalk et al ( 2022 ), who attributed this to the body composition of the participants. Our data do not suggest a relationship between body composition and effects on heart rate.…”

Usability and Biomechanical Testing of Passive Exoskeletons for Construction Workers: A Field-Based Pilot Study

“…As a result, his pelvis tilt angle increased. As for heart rates, existing studies showed that EXOs could reduce the heart rates of participants (e.g., [44,45]) or increase theirs (e.g., [46]). In this study, the wearing of EXOs increased the heart rates of the participants in Task 1, but the increase was not significant in Task 2.…”

“…This paper presented a pilot study for investigating workers' responses to the use of three passive EXOs (i.e., HeroWear Apex, Hilti EXO-01, and Ekso Evo) for two tasks: pushing/emptying gondolas and installing/removing wooden blocks in a construction workplace. The study quantitatively compared the difference in the workers' joint motions, As for heart rates, existing studies showed that EXOs could reduce the heart rates of participants (e.g., [44,45]) or increase theirs (e.g., [46]). In this study, the wearing of EXOs increased the heart rates of the participants in Task 1, but the increase was not significant in Task 2.…”

Exoskeleton technology in nursing practice: assessing effectiveness, usability, and impact on nurses’ quality of work life, a narrative review

“…The effectiveness of exoskeletons in reducing physical strain and fatigue among nurses has been a subject of investigation in several studies [ 5 , 8 , 17 , 18 ]. These wearable robotic devices are designed to provide mechanical support and assistance, aiming to alleviate the physical demands of nursing tasks and mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.…”