Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 26
Not Just for Athletes—
Aiding Mobility and
Recovery
Exoskeletons aren’t just
about enhancing athle琀椀c
performance; they’re also
changing lives in rehabilita琀椀on
and healthcare.
• In South Korea, researchers
have developed the
WalkON Suit F1, a
wearable robo琀椀c
suit designed to help
paraplegics walk. Weighing
50 kilograms, the suit uses
electronic motors and
sensors to mimic natural
movement, giving users
newfound independence.
• Medical exoskeletons
are also being used to
help stroke survivors and
people with spinal injuries
regain movement. Some
models are even being
tested for use in aged
care, helping older adults
maintain mobility and
independence.
The Global Market for
Exoskeletons
The demand for exoskeleton
technology is booming. In
2023, the global exoskeleton
market was valued at $419.5
million, and it’s projected
to grow by 16.6% annually,
reaching $1.25 billion by 2030.
Why the rapid growth?
Exoskeletons are no longer
just for medical use—they’re
now being adopted in 昀椀tness,
industrial work, and even
military applica琀椀ons.
Could Exoskeletons
Become Part of Everyday
Fitness?
While exoskeleton suits aren’t
yet mainstream in gyms, the
technology is advancing fast.
Future versions could:
• Help prevent injuries by
reducing strain on joints
and muscles.
• Improve endurance
for athletes and
昀椀tness enthusiasts.
• Assist with rehabilita琀椀on
for people recovering
from injuries.
• Support older adults in
staying ac琀椀ve and mobile.
As the technology becomes
more a昀昀ordable and
accessible, we could soon
see lightweight 昀椀tness
exoskeletons becoming a
common training tool, much
like wearable 昀椀tness trackers
are today.
