Healthy Adults, Postprandial Glycemic Response
Conditions
Keywords
Wearable hip exoskeleton, Bot-Fit, Postprandial glucose, Walking, Energy expenditure, Healthy adults
Brief summary
This randomized crossover proof-of-concept study evaluated the effects of walking with a wearable hip exoskeleton on postprandial glycemic and physiological responses in healthy adults. Participants completed four experimental conditions: seated control, walking without the wearable hip exoskeleton, walking with the Bot-Fit device in Aqua mode, and walking with the Bot-Fit device in Boost mode. The primary aim was to determine whether walking with the wearable hip exoskeleton alters postprandial glucose responses compared with seated control and conventional walking conditions.
Detailed description
This study investigated whether walking with a wearable hip exoskeleton could modulate postprandial glycemic and physiological responses in healthy adults. Using a randomized crossover design, each participant completed four experimental conditions in a controlled laboratory setting: seated control, walking without the wearable hip exoskeleton, walking with the Bot-Fit device in Aqua mode, and walking with the Bot-Fit device in Boost mode. Postprandial glucose responses were assessed after meal ingestion during each experimental trial. Physiological responses, including heart rate, perceived exertion, and energy expenditure, were also evaluated to compare the metabolic and perceptual demands of walking with and without the wearable hip exoskeleton. The study was designed as a proof-of-concept trial to examine whether wearable hip exoskeleton-assisted walking may influence postprandial glucose regulation in healthy adults.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWalking Without Bot-Fit
Participants performed walking without wearing the Bot-Fit wearable hip exoskeleton during the postprandial period.
DEVICEBot-Fit Aqua Mode
Participants performed walking while wearing the Bot-Fit wearable hip exoskeleton in Aqua mode during the postprandial period.
DEVICEBot-Fit Boost Mode
Participants performed walking while wearing the Bot-Fit wearable hip exoskeleton in Boost mode during the postprandial period.
Sponsors
CHA University
Samsung Electronics
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Each participant completed four experimental conditions in a randomized crossover design: seated control, walking without the wearable hip exoskeleton, walking with the Bot-Fit device in Aqua mode, and walking with the Bot-Fit device in Boost mode.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy adults aged 20 to 65 years. * Participants who were able to complete walking trials with and without the wearable hip exoskeleton. * Participants who provided written informed consent before participation.
Exclusion criteria
* Participants with diagnosed metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders. * Participants with conditions that could affect walking ability or safe use of the wearable hip exoskeleton. * Participants taking medications known to affect glucose metabolism. * Participants who were unable to comply with the study procedures.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Incremental Area Under the Curve for Postprandial Glucose | Up to 120 minutes after meal ingestion during each experimental trial | Incremental area under the curve for postprandial glucose was calculated during the postprandial measurement period for each experimental condition. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Postprandial Glucose Concentration | Up to 120 minutes after meal ingestion during each experimental trial | The peak glucose concentration observed during the postprandial measurement period was compared across experimental conditions. |
| Heart Rate Response | From the start to the end of the 30-minute intervention or control period on each experimental trial day | Heart rate was assessed during each experimental condition to evaluate physiological responses to walking with and without the wearable hip exoskeleton. |
| Rating of Perceived Exertion | Immediately after each experimental condition | Rating of perceived exertion was assessed to compare subjective exercise intensity across walking conditions. |
Countries
South Korea
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSeung-Bo Park, Ph.D
CHA University
Outcome results
None listed