Effects of Heavy Personal Protection Equipment on Muscle Activation and Motor Behavior During Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations

Yi-Ning Wu, Adam Norton, Michael R. Zielinski, Tyler D. Parker, Hannah Allgood, Cooper Ferrari, Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation , University of Massachusetts Lowell, Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center

Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Published online on May 22, 2026

Abstract

Human Factors, Ahead of Print.
ObjectiveTo investigate muscle activation and movement behavior in the lower back and legs during selected explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operational tasks to evaluate the impact of EOD personal protective equipment (PPE) on performance and the body....