A personal lift assist device (PLAD) was designed with passive elastic elements that act with a similar li of action to the spine muscles and reduce the extension moment experienced during lifing activities The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the device's ability to reduce fatigue during a repetitive lifting task women (n H 12) ned a box load representing 20% maximal extensor strength repetitively (12 lift/ lowers per minute) for 45 min while electromyography (EMG) as recorded from the lumbar thoracic erector spinae, and cardiovascular measures were monitored. Subjects were also tested on strength and endurance tests prior to, and after lifting. The increase in EMG RMs amplitude from the start until the end of the lifting session was significantly lower when wearing the PLAD for the TES (91% wearing the eu AD for TES and LES. The PLAD delayed the onset of fatigue in women by requiring less muscular effort. Relevance There are mumerous industries that still require repetitive manual materials handling tasks to be performed by humans. e lifting fatigues the musculature involved and may lead to an increased measures. This device appears to have potential for risk of injury. The PLAD reduced industries where women periorm repeti 2008 Elsevier Bv Asl rights reserved.