Muscle Activation Differs Between Individuals During Initial Powered Ankle Exoskeleton Adaptation

Although previous studies have shown that powered exoskeletons reduce muscle activation while walking across participants, less is known about how they impact an individual’s activation. This study examined activity during with a ankle exoskeleton. The designed human-exoskeleton coordination was defined as decrease in medial gastrocnemius (MGAS) the exoskeleton and increase unpowered. 60% of participants were observed to coordinate designed, 67% showing RMS MGAS adaptation. showed no change de-adaptation, 47% not returning baseline metrics by late de-adaptation. Muscle differs between individuals response power state over time within state. It important consider these different behaviors when integrating into occupational settings adaptation may be supported training experience.