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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-11-2014 | Original Article

Enhancing performance during inclined loaded walking with a powered ankle–foot exoskeleton

Authors: Samuel Galle, Philippe Malcolm, Wim Derave, Dirk De Clercq

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 11/2014

Abstract

Purpose

A simple ankle–foot exoskeleton that assists plantarflexion during push-off can reduce the metabolic power during walking. This suggests that walking performance during a maximal incremental exercise could be improved with an exoskeleton if the exoskeleton is still efficient during maximal exercise intensities. Therefore, we quantified the walking performance during a maximal incremental exercise test with a powered and unpowered exoskeleton: uphill walking with progressively higher weights.

Methods

Nine female subjects performed two incremental exercise tests with an exoskeleton: 1 day with (powered condition) and another day without (unpowered condition) plantarflexion assistance. Subjects walked on an inclined treadmill (15 %) at 5 km h⁻¹ and 5 % of body weight was added every 3 min until exhaustion.

Results

At volitional termination no significant differences were found between the powered and unpowered condition for blood lactate concentration (respectively, 7.93 ± 2.49; 8.14 ± 2.24 mmol L⁻¹), heart rate (respectively, 190.00 ± 6.50; 191.78 ± 6.50 bpm), Borg score (respectively, 18.57 ± 0.79; 18.93 ± 0.73) and \(\dot{V}{\rm O}_{2}\) peak (respectively, 40.55 ± 2.78; 40.55 ± 3.05 ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹). Thus, subjects were able to reach the same (near) maximal effort in both conditions. However, subjects continued the exercise test longer in the powered condition and carried 7.07 ± 3.34 kg more weight because of the assistance of the exoskeleton.

Conclusion

Our results show that plantarflexion assistance during push-off can increase walking performance during a maximal exercise test as subjects were able to carry more weight. This emphasizes the importance of acting on the ankle joint in assistive devices and the potential of simple ankle–foot exoskeletons for reducing metabolic power and increasing weight carrying capability, even during maximal intensities.

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Title: Enhancing performance during inclined loaded walking with a powered ankle–foot exoskeleton
Authors: Samuel Galle
Philippe Malcolm
Wim Derave
Dirk De Clercq
Publication date: 01-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2955-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Enhancing performance during inclined loaded walking with a powered ankle–foot exoskeleton

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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