Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40460164›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Biomechanical and physiological effects of an upper-body exoskeleton during simulated load-carrying on an inclined surface.

Gabriela Garcia, Rafaella Yañez, Milena Espoz, Camilo Albuja, Paul G Arauz, Bernard J Martin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Gabriela GarciaDepartamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5666-2156
Rafaella YañezDepartamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador.
Milena EspozDepartamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador.
Camilo AlbujaDepartamento de Ingeniería Industrial, Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador.
Paul G ArauzDepartment of Orthopaedics, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, United States of America.
Bernard J MartinDepartment of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Michigan, United States of America.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study assessed the effects of a passive upper-body exoskeleton (CarrySuit®) on heart rate, muscle activity, and kinematics while carrying 12 kg box on a 12° inclined treadmill.

backgroundVarious passive exoskeletons designed for commercial use have emerged on the market, aiming to support lifting and carrying tasks. However, their effects on biomechanical metrics while walking on inclined surfaces are not yet conclusive.

methodThirty participants carried a 12 kg box with and without the exoskeleton while walking on a treadmill with a 12° incline. Whole-body kinematics, heart rate, and muscle activity in the low back, legs, and arms were evaluated in each condition.

resultsThe exoskeleton significantly (p < .05) reduced peak erector spinae, biceps brachii activity, and heart rate across sexes, with medium to large effect sizes (ηp2 > 0.1). A decrease in mean erector spinae activity was observed in males only. However, for all, the exoskeleton increased vastus lateralis activity while reducing gastrocnemius activity, with medium effect sizes (ηp2 = 0.1). Kinematically, it led to increased dorsiflexion and knee flexion, with sex-specific adaptations such as reduced pelvic tilt in males and greater thorax tilt in females, with small to medium effect sizes. It also promoted a more neutral neck posture and altered hip asymmetry patterns.

conclusionThese findings suggest that the CarrySuit® effectively alters heart rate, muscle activity and joint movements during inclined load-carrying tasks, with more benefits shown for males than females. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of commercial exoskeleton technology's efficacy in carrying tasks.

Indexed as

Exoskeleton DeviceWeight-BearingAdultBiomechanical PhenomenaElectromyographyFemaleHeart RateHumansMaleMuscle, SkeletalWalkingYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID40460164
PMCPMC12132972

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.