Evaluating the Effects of Occupational Exoskeletons on Foot Pressure Distribution and Physiological Responses in Manual Material Handling Tasks

This paper introduces a pilot study investigating the impact of a back-support occupational exoskeleton during Manual Material Handling. The study focuses on examining parameters such as the pressure distribution of the feet on the ground, in particular the distribution of pressure between the forefoot and the rearfoot, two physiological parameters such as pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation, and general perceptions of comfort and usability. Findings reveal differences in the distribution of pressure on feet to the ground between the test performed with and without the exoskeleton. This research provides a foundation for future studies to further explore these findings and contribute to the enhancing the knowledge base in the field of workplace human factors.