The integration of technology into exercise regimens has emerged as a strategy to enhance normal human capabilities and return human motor function after injury or illness by enhancing motor learning and retention. Much research has focused on how active devices, whether confined to a lab or made into a wearable format, can apply forces at set times and conditions to optimize the process of learning. However, the focus on active force production often forces devices to either be confined to simple movements or interventions. As such, in this paper, we investigate how passive device behaviors can contribute to the process of motor learning by themselves. Our approach involves using a wearable resistance (WR) device, which is outfitted with elastic bands, to apply a force field that changes in response to a person's movements while performing exercises. We develop a method to measure the produced forces from the device without impeding the function and we characterize the device's force generation abilities. We then present a study assessing the impact of the WR device on motor learning of proper squat form compared to visual or no feedback. Biometrics such as knee and hip angles were used to monitor and assess subject performance. Our findings indicate that the force fields produced while training with the WR device can improve performance in full-body exercises similarly to a more direct visual feedback mechanism, though the improvement is not consistent across all performance metrics. Through our research, we contribute important insights into the application of passive wearable resistance technology in practical exercise settings.

翻译：将技术融入运动方案已成为一种策略，旨在通过增强运动学习与保持来提升正常人类能力，并在伤病后恢复人类运动功能。大量研究集中于主动设备（无论是局限于实验室还是制成可穿戴形式）如何在设定时间和条件下施加作用力以优化学习过程。然而，对主动力生成的关注往往迫使设备局限于简单运动或干预措施。因此，本文研究了被动设备行为如何独立促进运动学习过程。我们的方法采用配备弹性带的可穿戴阻力装置，在运动过程中施加随人体动作变化的力场。我们开发了一种在不影响设备功能的前提下测量其所产生作用力的方法，并对设备的力生成能力进行了表征。随后，我们开展了一项研究，评估相较于视觉反馈或无反馈，WR装置对标准深蹲姿势运动学习的影响。研究采用膝关节和髋关节角度等生物特征指标来监测和评估受试者表现。研究结果表明，使用WR装置训练时产生的力场能够像更直接的视觉反馈机制那样改善全身性运动表现，尽管这种改善并非在所有表现指标上都保持一致。通过本研究，我们为被动式可穿戴阻力技术在实际运动场景中的应用提供了重要见解。