The suit reduces the effort when carrying a heavy load, and can be activated and deactivated at will.
Kidney belts are not always very comfortable, nor very sexy. However, for some people, they are essential at times – especially when it is necessary to lift heavy loads – but when they are not useful, it is preferable to remove them. To remedy these drawbacks, researchers from Vanderbilt University (United States) invented a smart device that they thought could almost be forgotten, and would be suitable for everyday use.
It is a set of underwear, a kind of bra accompanied by a cyclist. They are made of nylon, with pieces of lycra and polyester. The two elements are connected by rubber bands that cross the back.
45% less effort
Normally, these are just underwear. But by activating them, simply by giving two small taps on the breastbone, the bands tighten. The user can thus bend down to carry a heavy load, and be assisted in his action by the device which relieves part of the muscle tension. The combination can also be activated via bluetooth, thanks to a smartphone application.
Tested on eight people picking up weights of 11 and 25 kg at different levels of incline, the set would have given interesting results. Its developers claim that it reduces lower back muscle strain by an average of 15 to 45 percent, based on machine data and electromyography, a measure of muscle activity.
Superhero underwear
“I’m tired of Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne being the only ones with super suits that increase their performance,” laughs Karl Zelik, mechanical engineer and project manager. We the people want one too. The difference is, I won’t be fighting crime, but the risk of wrinkling my back this week while trying to carry my two year old. “
The underwear is in fact not intended to be a conventional medical device, but rather to prevent possible problems in people practicing activities at risk for their back.
Occupational prevention
The advantage, the researchers point out, is that it can be turned on and off as needed. “I see a lot of people, medical personnel and others, whose jobs require them to stand or bend down for long periods of time,” adds Dr. Aaron Yang, specialist in the treatment of back and neck pathologies at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. . Smart clothes can relieve strain and reduce muscle fatigue. “
In the midst of the product’s development and presentation phase, researchers are already thinking about the next step. Rather than having to activate and deactivate the suit each time they are used, they would like to integrate sensors that would automatically detect the effort, and assist it when the time is right. It is not always easy to predict when your child will jump in your arms!
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