Personalized Computational Modeling to Support Effective Use of Back Support Exosuits to Prevent Back Injuries
Musculoskeletal back injuries are a major burden on society. However, exosuits may be able to help protect against some lifting injuries. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate how an exosuit can help reduce back demands. Back demands will be estimated from experimental data using our lab’s full body OpenSim musculoskeletal model across a variety of lifting conditions both with and without the exosuit. Furthermore, model estimates will be utilized to determine the ideal assistance profile for the exosuit.
This project is a collaboration with Conor Walsh and the Harvard Biodesign Lab, which has developed the active exosuit technology.