Current Research

The physical demands of construction have meant that work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain a significant health concern for workers, with the lower back and shoulders being the body parts they most often injure. Building on the project they have just finished, the research team will evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of exoskeletons (EXOs), specifically arm-support exoskeletons and back-support exoskeletons. The new project will draw on guidelines the previous study created to develop construction-specific training for the safe and effective implementation of EXOs. The project will include both medium-term (2-4 weeks) and longer-term (up to 4 months) evaluations of multiple aspects of EXO use: usability, performance impacts, acceptance, and effectiveness (reduced exertion, discomfort, and fatigue).  The final stage of this project will disseminate the training protocols and findings, including suggestions for optimizing EXO acceptance and use. A key element of this project will be evaluating EXO effects by trades/tasks, sex, age, and prior injury status.