<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>To assess the comparative similarity of squat data collected as they wore a robotic exoskeleton, female athletes (n=14) did two exercise bouts spaced 14 days apart. Data from their exoskeleton workout was compared to a session they did with free weights. Each squat workout entailed a four-set, four-repetition paradigm with 60-second rest periods. Sets for each workout involved progressively heavier (22.5, 34, 45.5, 57 kg) loads. The same physiological, perceptual, and exercise performance dependent variables were measured and collected from both workouts. Per dependent variable, Pearson correlation coefficients, t-tests, and Cohen's d effect size compared the degree of similarity between values obtained from the exoskeleton and free weight workouts. Results show peak O<sub>2</sub>, heart rate, and peak force data produced the least variability. In contrast, far more inter-workout variability was noted for peak velocity, peak power, and electromyography (EMG) values. Overall, an insufficient amount of comparative similarity exists for data collected from both workouts. Due to the limited data similarity, the exoskeleton does not exhibit an acceptable degree of validity. Likely the cause for the limited similarity was due to the brief amount of familiarization subjects had to the exoskeleton prior to actual data collection. A familiarization session that accustomed subjects to squats done with the exoskeleton prior to actual data collection may have considerably improved the validity of data obtained from that device.</p></abstract>

To assess the comparative similarity of squat data collected as they wore a robotic exoskeleton, female athletes (n=14) did two exercise bouts spaced 14 days apart. Data from their exoskeleton workout was compared to a session they did with free weights. Each squat workout entailed a four-set, four-repetition paradigm with 60-second rest periods. Sets for each workout involved progressively heavier (22.5, 34, 45.5, 57 kg) loads. The same physiological, perceptual, and exercise performance dependent variables were measured and collected from both workouts. Per dependent variable, Pearson correlation coefficients, t-tests, and Cohen's d effect size compared the degree of similarity between values obtained from the exoskeleton and free weight workouts. Results show peak O2, heart rate, and peak force data produced the least variability. In contrast, far more inter-workout variability was noted for peak velocity, peak power, and electromyography (EMG) values. Overall, an insufficient amount of comparative similarity exists for data collected from both workouts. Due to the limited data similarity, the exoskeleton does not exhibit an acceptable degree of validity. Likely the cause for the limited similarity was due to the brief amount of familiarization subjects had to the exoskeleton prior to actual data collection. A familiarization session that accustomed subjects to squats done with the exoskeleton prior to actual data collection may have considerably improved the validity of data obtained from that device.

Comparative Responses to Squats Completed with Free Weights and an Exoskeleton

Institute for Human and Machine Cognition

Gravitational and Space Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Comparative Responses to Squats Completed with Free Weights and an Exoskeleton"}

To assess the comparative similarity of squat data collected as they wore a robotic exoskeleton, female athletes (n=14) did two exercise bouts spaced 14 days...

Comparative Responses to Squats Completed with Free Weights and an Exoskeleton

Article Category: Research Article

Publié en ligne: 17 juil. 2020

Pages: 51 - 63

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2016-0005

Mots clés
Robotics, Flight Hardware, Countermeasures, Exercise, Strength Loss, Muscle Atrophy, Physiology, Perceptual, Validity, Familiarization

© 2016 Peter Neuhaus et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Comparative Responses to Squats Completed with Free Weights and an Exoskeleton

Article Category: Research Article

Publié en ligne: 17 juil. 2020

Pages: 51 - 63

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2016-0005

Mots clésRobotics, Flight Hardware, Countermeasures, Exercise, Strength Loss, Muscle Atrophy, Physiology, Perceptual, Validity, Familiarization

© 2016 Peter Neuhaus et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
Robotics, Flight Hardware, Countermeasures, Exercise, Strength Loss, Muscle Atrophy, Physiology, Perceptual, Validity, Familiarization