Acute Effects of Passive Back-Support Exoskeletons on Cardiovascular Load, Energy Expenditure, Perceived Exertion, and Wearing Comfort During a Repetitive Lifting Task – A Comparative Study

Acute Effects of Passive Back-Support Exoskeletons on Cardiovascular Load, Energy Expenditure, Perceived Exertion, and Wearing Comfort During a Repetitive Lifting Task – A Comparative Study - ComparExo

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00036811

Enrollment

Registered

2025-05-05

Start date

2025-06-24

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-10-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most widespread work-related health issue in Europe. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and frequent or heavy lifting can overload the musculoskeletal system and significantly increase the risk of developing MSDs. The health consequences not only reduce individual quality of life but also lead to high rates of absenteeism and represent a substantial economic burden for employers and healthcare systems. Preventing musculoskeletal disorders is therefor

Interventions

Group 1: Test Condition 1: Without Exoskeleton Participants perform a standardized 5-minute lifting task without the use of an exoskeleton. The task is carried out using a load equivalent to 15% of th

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 45 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Healthy individuals Regular physical activity (at least once per week)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Orthopedic disorders Rheumatologic disorders Cardiovascular diseases Psychiatric disorders Acute viral or bacterial infections Pregnancy Lack of willingness to cooperate (non-compliance) Physical or mental conditions that prevent participation in tests or answering questions Participation in another study

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Mean heart rate during the last two minutes of the lifting task Mean energy expenditure (kcal/min/kg) during the last two minutes of the lifting task Perceived exertion (modified Borg scale, CR10) immediately after the lifting task Difference in perceived wearing comfort (visual analogue scale) from pre- to post-condition All four endpoints are treated equally as co-primary endpoints. Sample size calculation was conducted with appropriate adjustment for multiple testing and significance level correction.	—

Measure

Time frame

Mean heart rate during the last two minutes of the lifting task Mean energy expenditure (kcal/min/kg) during the last two minutes of the lifting task Perceived exertion (modified Borg scale, CR10) immediately after the lifting task Difference in perceived wearing comfort (visual analogue scale) from pre- to post-condition All four endpoints are treated equally as co-primary endpoints. Sample size calculation was conducted with appropriate adjustment for multiple testing and significance level correction.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Influence of different exoskeleton designs and mechanical support principles Detailed assessment of wearing comfort using the Local Perceived Discomfort Scale	—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactJohannes Voß

Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal

johannes.voss@h2.de+49 391 886 46 93

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026