Impact of a mechanical arm support on upper limb kinematics and muscular activity during manual tasks.

Kinova是一家加拿大公司，为上半身行动不便的人提供机器人解决方案。最近，Kinova获得了北美高端动态手臂支撑（O-110手臂支撑）的许可，该产品专为手臂和手部力量有限的个人设计。然而，这些手臂支撑也可以用在体力劳动者身上，他们需要长时间高举肩膀来完成重复性的精确任务。在工作场所使用手臂支撑的目的是减少上肢的体力工作需求，从而通过减少肌肉疲劳的发展来提高工作表现。本研究项目**的目的是调查**O-110臂支撑在基本体力劳动中的益处（在减少上肢体力劳动需求方面）。为此，我们将把我们的研究团队专业知识（生物力学、运动学、运动控制）与最先进的评估和分析设备（无线3D运动捕捉和肌肉激活测量）结合起来。工人将在受控的实验室条件下进行测试，模拟真实的手工任务，同时使用O-110臂支撑。手臂支撑性能的量化将有助于Kinova适应和微调O-110手臂支撑的设计，以**为体力劳动者提供更健康，更安全的工作场所。

Kinova is a Canadian company that offers robotics solutions for people living with upper body mobility**impairment. Recently, Kinova has acquired the license for North America of a high end dynamic arm supports**(the O-110 arm support) that has been designed specifically for individuals who have limited strength in their**arms and hands. However, these arm supports could also be used with manual workers, who perform repetitive**precision tasks for extended period of time with the shoulders in elevation. The goal of using arm supports in**the workplace would be to decrease the physical work demands imposed on the upper extremity, and thus**improve work performance by reducing development of muscular fatigue. The objective of this research project**is to investigate the benefits (in term of decrease of the physical work demands for the upper extremity) of the**O-110 arm support during basic manual tasks. To do this, we will combine our research team expertise**(biomechanics, kinesiology, motor control) with state-of-the-art evaluation and analysis equipment (wireless**3D movement capture and muscle activation measures). Workers will be tested in controlled laboratory**conditions simulating real manual tasks while using the O-110 arm support. The quantification of the arm**support's performance will help Kinova adapt and fine-tune the design of the O-110 arm support in order to**provide a healthier and safer workplace for manual workers.