IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i8p3889-d531937.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Human Thermal Responses in Temperate and Cold Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Liu

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Xiaoling Li

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Jiarui Lai

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Aibin Zhu

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Xiaodong Zhang

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Ziming Zheng

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Huijin Zhu

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Yueyang Shi

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Long Wang

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

  • Zhangyi Chen

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710000, China)

Abstract

The exoskeleton as functional wearable equipment has been increasingly used in working environments. However, the effects of wearing an exoskeleton on human thermal responses are still unknown. In this study, 10 male package handlers were exposed to 10 °C (COLD) and 25 °C (TEMP) ambient temperatures while performing a 10 kg lifting task (LIFTING) and sedentary (REST) both with (EXO) and without the exoskeleton (WEXO). Thermal responses, including the metabolic rate and mean skin temperature (MST), were continuously measured. Thermal comfort, thermal sensation and sweat feeling were also recorded. For LIFTING, metabolic heat production is significant decrease with the exoskeleton support. The MST and thermal sensation significantly increase when wearing the exoskeleton, but thermal discomfort and sweating are only aggravated in TEMP. For REST, MST and thermal sensation are also increased by the exoskeleton, and there is no significant difference in the metabolic rate between EXO and WEXO. The thermal comfort is significantly improved by wearing the exoskeleton only in COLD. The results suggest that the passive exoskeleton increases the local clothing insulation, and the way of wearing reduces the “pumping effect”, which makes a difference in the thermal response between COLD and TEMP. Designers need to develop appropriate usage strategies according to the operative temperature.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Liu & Xiaoling Li & Jiarui Lai & Aibin Zhu & Xiaodong Zhang & Ziming Zheng & Huijin Zhu & Yueyang Shi & Long Wang & Zhangyi Chen, 2021. "The Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Human Thermal Responses in Temperate and Cold Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3889-:d:531937
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/3889/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/3889/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan & Margaret M. Quinn & David Kriebel & David H. Wegman, 2020. "Risk of Kidney Injury among Construction Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Longitudinal Study from Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Adriana Seára Tirloni & Diogo Cunha Dos Reis & Natália Fonseca Dias & Antônio Renato Pereira Moro, 2018. "The Use of Personal Protective Equipment: Finger Temperatures and Thermal Sensation of Workers’ Exposure to Cold Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Mark Tröster & David Wagner & Felix Müller-Graf & Christophe Maufroy & Urs Schneider & Thomas Bauernhansl, 2020. "Biomechanical Model-Based Development of an Active Occupational Upper-Limb Exoskeleton to Support Healthcare Workers in the Surgery Waiting Room," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Thomas Schmalz & Jasmin Schändlinger & Marvin Schuler & Jonas Bornmann & Benjamin Schirrmeister & Andreas Kannenberg & Michael Ernst, 2019. "Biomechanical and Metabolic Effectiveness of an Industrial Exoskeleton for Overhead Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Rietta S. Wagoner & Nicolas I. López-Gálvez & Jill G. de Zapien & Stephanie C. Griffin & Robert A. Canales & Paloma I. Beamer, 2020. "An Occupational Heat Stress and Hydration Assessment of Agricultural Workers in North Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Floris C. Wardenaar & Kinta D. Schott & Alex E. Mohr & Carmen P. Ortega-Santos & John E. Connolly, 2023. "An Exploratory Study Investigating the Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Collegiate Division I American Football Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Laura J. Elstub & Shimra J. Fine & Karl E. Zelik, 2021. "Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-12, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mark Tröster & Sarah Budde & Christophe Maufroy & Michael Skipper Andersen & John Rasmussen & Urs Schneider & Thomas Bauernhansl, 2022. "Biomechanical Analysis of Stoop and Free-Style Squat Lifting and Lowering with a Generic Back-Support Exoskeleton Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Laura J. Elstub & Shimra J. Fine & Karl E. Zelik, 2021. "Exoskeletons and Exosuits Could Benefit from Mode-Switching Body Interfaces That Loosen/Tighten to Improve Thermal Comfort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Bastien Arnoux & Anaïs Farr & Vincent Boccara & Nicolas Vignais, 2023. "Evaluation of a Passive Upper Limb Exoskeleton in Healthcare Workers during a Surgical Instrument Cleaning Task," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Mkaddem, Chamseddine & Mahjoubi, Soufiane, 2022. "Climate change and its impact on water consumption in Tunisia: Evidence from ARDL approach," MPRA Paper 115658, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2022.
    5. Melissa Airem Cázares-Manríquez & Claudia Camargo-Wilson & Ricardo Vardasca & Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz & Jesús Everardo Olguín-Tiznado & Juan Andrés López-Barreras & Blanca Rosa García-Rivera, 2021. "Quantitative Models for Prediction of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Applied to the Maquiladora Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Ci-Jyun Liang & Marvin H. Cheng, 2023. "Trends in Robotics Research in Occupational Safety and Health: A Scientometric Analysis and Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-21, May.
    7. Yi-Lang Chen & Yan-Ting Zhong & Bang-Nan Liou & Chih-Chuan Yang, 2020. "Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Taiwanese Bakery Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-12, April.
    8. Adriana Seára Tirloni & Diogo Cunha dos Reis & Salvador Francisco Tirloni & Antônio Renato Pereira Moro, 2020. "Exertion Perception When Performing Cutting Tasks in Poultry Slaughterhouses: Risk Assessment of Developing Musculoskeletal Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-15, December.
    9. Jason Glaser & David H. Wegman & Esteban Arias-Monge & Felipe Pacheco-Zenteno & Heath Prince & Denis Chavarria & William Jose Martinez-Cuadra & Kristina Jakobsson & Erik Hansson & Rebekah A. I. Lucas , 2022. "Workplace Intervention for Heat Stress: Essential Elements of Design, Implementation, and Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Zijun Li & Huasen Liu & Yu Xu & Rongrong Li & Mintao Jia & Mengsheng Zhang, 2021. "Numerical Analysis on the Thermal Performance in an Excavating Roadway with Auxiliary Ventilation System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.
    11. Youkyung Kim & Sangeun Lee & Jeeyeon Lim & Soyeon Park & Sojeong Seong & Youngshin Cho & Heejung Kim, 2021. "Factors Associated with Poor Quality of Sleep in Construction Workers: A Secondary Data Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, February.
    12. Joanna Orysiak & Magdalena Młynarczyk & Paweł Tomaszewski, 2022. "Hydration Status in Men Working in Different Thermal Environments: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    13. Ralf Dethlefsen & Luisa Orlik & Martin Müller & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos & Stefan M. Scholz & Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler & Mairi Ziaka, 2022. "Work-Related Injuries among Insured Construction Workers Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2016–2020)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    14. Simona Del Ferraro & Tiziana Falcone & Alberto Ranavolo & Vincenzo Molinaro, 2020. "The Effects of Upper-Body Exoskeletons on Human Metabolic Cost and Thermal Response during Work Tasks—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-25, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3889-:d:531937. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.