• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 2023

In the elderly population, sarcopenia occurs due to physical aging, leading to movement restrictions and loss of function. This results in dependence on daily activities and limitations in participation, ultimately decreasing the overall quality of life. In this study, we propose an algorithm designed to enable patients with sarcopenia to perform sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movements seamlessly in their daily lives. The algorithm incorporates a wearable robot for muscle support and includes algorithms for standing and seated muscle strength support. To validate the algorithm's performance, EMG sensors were attached to the Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris muscles. The participants underwent two scenarios: one without wearing the device and one with the device providing muscle strength support, performing sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit motions for one minute in each case. The results showed a 16% increase in the EMG peak value of the Rectus Femoris muscle during standing motion (p=0.009). On the right side, there was a roughly 20% decrease (p=0.018) during standing and a 21% decrease (p=0.014) during sitting motion. In the future, we aim to gather additional data to further refine the algorithm. Our goal is to develop an optimal muscle strength support algorithm based on this data, making it applicable for real-life use by patients with sarcopenia.