AI Insight
This study investigated how lower limb exoskeleton robots improve athletic performance in 30 disabled athletes with lower limb motor dysfunction through a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Results showed that athletes using exoskeletons demonstrated significantly better athletic performance compared to controls, alongside improvements in self-efficacy, sports motivation, and reduced anxiety and depression. The study identified four psychological mechanisms through which exoskeletons indirectly enhanced performance: reducing sports frustration, enhancing body control, improving self-identity, and relieving psychological pressure.
Why it matters
This research provides empirical evidence that assistive robotics can benefit disabled athletes not only physically but also psychologically, potentially informing rehabilitation protocols and adaptive sports programs. Understanding these psychological pathways could help optimize exoskeleton interventions and improve quality of life for individuals with lower limb disabilities.
Understand the Science
ObjectiveTo explore the improvement effect of lower limb exoskeleton robot intervention on the athletic performance of disabled athletes and the underlying psychological mechanisms, so as to provide empirical evidence and theoretical support for clinical application.MethodsThirty disabled athletes with lower limb motor dysfunction were selected for a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Data before and after intervention were collected through athletic performance tests, psychological scale assessments and semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, and qualitative data were combined to explore the action pathways of psychological mechanisms.ResultsAfter intervention, the athletic performance indicators of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group; the scores of self-efficacy and intrinsic sports motivation in the experimental group were significantly increased, while the scores of anxiety and depression were significantly decreased, and there was a significant correlation between psychological indicators and athletic performance indicators. Qualitative analysis showed that lower limb exoskeleton robots indirectly promoted athletic performance through four psychological mechanisms: reducing sports frustration, enhancing body control, improving self-identity, and relieving psychological pressure.ConclusionLower limb exoskeleton robots can improve the athletic performance of disabled athletes by improving their psychological state.