Wearing an Arm Support Exoskeleton Does Not Affect Balance but May Decrease Dynamic Stability During a Step-Down Maneuver

Objective Assess the effects of arm support exoskeletons (ASEs) on dynamic balance during dynamic tasks.Background ASEs can reduce muscle activation during labor-intensive tasks, potentially alleviating fatigue, discomfort, and injury risk. However, implications on worker safety, particularly regarding altered balance, remain a concern.Methods We evaluated the effects of three different ASEs on dynamic balance using postural sway parameters and the dynamic postural stability index (DPSI). Twenty-three healthy volunteers (7 F) performed a single-leg, step-down maneuver with and without ASEs.Results Sway did not differ substantially across conditions, except for a slight increase in sway area in one comparison (18.3%, eta p 2 approximate to 0.07). In contrast, DPSI increased in all ASE conditions compared to no-ASE (6.1-10.1%, eta p 2 approximate to 0.05-0.10). A main effect of sex was found for sway and dynamic stability metrics, with females exhibiting greater postural excursions (13.5% higher sway and 9.3% higher DPSI on average, eta p 2 up to 0.24). Height and body mass were negatively correlated with sway and DPSI parameters, suggesting a potential role of individual anthropometrics in modulating balance performance.Conclusion ASEs do not impair balance during dynamic tasks such as a step-down maneuver and single-leg stance, but they may affect stabilization strategies, especially for individuals with low body mass and height.Application These findings support the potential for a cautious integration of ASEs in industrial settings, as these devices appear to have a minimal impact on balance during moderately dynamic tasks, but observed differences in DPSI highlight the need for careful evaluation in specific populations.