Upper limb exoskeleton performance during fatiguing overhead work tasks

Overhead work is the leading cause of shoulder fatigue and presents a large financial burden to employees and employers alike due to workplace injuries. Interventions must be implemented to reduce the onset of shoulder fatigue and injury. Two interventions are currently being used, overhead cycle time and passive upper-limb exoskeletons. However, little research has been conducted regarding their effects on fatigue. Overhead cycle time is a ratio of time spent working overhead to time spent working below head. Cycle times limit how long workers can work overhead throughout their work shift. Exoskeletons are wearable devices that support the body’s structure. Passive versions use a support arm with springs to support the arms when working overhead, which lowers the force required by the worker to hold their arms overhead. We plan to investigate the effects of three models of exoskeleton and two overhead cycle times on shoulder fatigue during overhead work.

Faculty Supervisor:

Nicholas La Delfa

Student:

Partner:

Cort Research and Innovation Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Program: