EMG patterns during assisted walking in the exoskeleton

This study examines how muscles activate when people walk with a robotic exoskeleton. Researchers measured muscle activity in both healthy individuals and those with spinal cord injuries to understand how the exoskeleton affects their walking patterns. The research found that in healthy subjects, leg muscle activity was not reduced during exoskeleton-assisted walking, contrary to what was expected. This suggests that the exoskeleton doesn't simply take over the work of the muscles. In individuals with spinal cord injuries, upper limb muscle activity increased, while leg muscle activity remained low. This indicates that SCI patients rely more on their upper body for stability and movement when using the exoskeleton.

• 1
  In neurologically intact subjects, EMG activity of leg muscles was similar or even larger during exoskeleton-assisted walking compared to normal overground walking.
• 2
  In SCI patients, EMG activity of the upper limb muscles was augmented while activation of leg muscles was typically small.
• 3
  Significant variations in the EMG waveforms were found across different walking conditions; the most variable pattern was observed in the hamstring muscles.