On-body personal assist suit for commercial farming: Effect on heart rate, EMG, trunk movements, and user acceptance during digging

Personal “protective” equipment has been recommended in agricultural tasks. The plastic mulching process is often required in commercial farming. On-body personal assist suits (PAS) affect heart rate, muscles, trunk movement, and user acceptance. In this study, 8 male and 6 female subjects performing 3-min digging tasks were evaluated. Electrocardiograph, electromyography of the right and left upper trapezius and (L3) lumbar erector spinae, and motion data were simultaneously recorded using a multichannel telemetry system. In the task's final minute, the workload was decreased using PAS in males, although the average workload did not change. Males achieved a more stable acceleration pattern using PAS as compared to females. 86% females experienced discomfort in the crotch area; therefore, we recommend that hip straps be modified to increase user acceptance. For a typical agricultural forward-bending task, such as digging, PAS can significantly reduce strain (p < 0.05) on lower back muscles (L3).