Effect of Varying Soft Actuator Band Positions of a Wearable Assist Device on Gait Simulation of Lower Limb Muscle Force

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of changing the application points and directions of the soft actuator band of a wearable hip assist device on muscle force and joint kinematics during gait. Healthy adult participants walked under four conditions with varying band positions of a soft wearable hip assist device. The three-dimensional coordinates of markers and ground reaction force data were measured during gait. Lower limb muscle forces and joint angles were calculated using a musculoskeletal model. Our results showed that the position and running direction of the soft actuator band decreased the forces of the iliopsoas and hamstring muscles.