The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Paralympics Australia support a number of athletes with a disability (AWD) who participate in a range of elite sports.  Dr Keren Faulkner, as a physiotherapist at the AIS, noticed that the athletes she was working with were suffering due to the use of mass-produced or self-adapted devices including rowing or wheelchair seats stuffed with padding, and an overuse of duct tape. In order to ensure the wellbeing of the athletes in the AWD programs, Keren approached the Technical Laboratory to work with Chris Morgan, forming a small multi-disciplinary team to produce custom braces, seats and devices for the athletes aiming to represent Australia on the international stage

Ergonomic seats are essential for the rower to comfortably train and compete and remain injury free. In order to develop a seat that is comfortable for the athlete a collaborative effort is used. Gavin Bellis rowed in the adaptive trunk and arms mixed double scull, and represented Australia at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. When noticing that the seat that Gavin used was not working well for him Keren, his physical therapist at the AIS, worked together with Chris Morgan, to research and develop a more appropriate solution. The team included Gavin, his coach Chad King, Keren and Chris with some input from Jon Davis (Physical Therapy, AIS).

In order to ensure that the seat would be appropriate for competitive rowing Chris researched materials that would be suitable for the construction of the custom seats and settled on a closed cell polyethylene. The team set Gavin up, using blocks of foam and wood, replicating the correct physical geometry for him in the boat. In this position critical measurements were taken, and these were related to a data set which would then be transferred to the foam blank. In addition to this casts were taken of the athlete in a sitting position, enabling the accurate development of the seat structure. The blank would then be sculpted and machined to the point where a test fitting could be attempted and then refined until a satisfactory fit was achieved. This process has been repeated to ensure a number of adaptive rowers are fitted with seats that are appropriate for their body shape.

In addition to the complexities of the customised seats, some rowers require a chest restraint. The shape, position and composition must meet requirements in the rules for the sport. The strap must also allow for easy release in the event of an emergency. With this in mind, Velcro was used. Currently, the mounting gussets are providing the team with a challenge. Gussets must be the right shape and rigid enough to hold the strap in position but retain some give to allow for shock absorption.  A range of materials and combinations have been trialled including harness leather, red hide and rubber compounds. Each material has provided certain advantages and disadvantages and research is continuing on this aspect of the project.

Another good example of the ad hoc research and development performed by the team would be the refinement of a frame used by Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) athlete Brydee Moore. Brydee competes in athletics and throws javelin from the frame.  In order to aid Brydee in refining her technique and improving her throws, a multidisciplinary team worked together. This team, including Chris Nunn (coach, APC), Doug Rosemond (Senior Biomechanist, AIS), John Eden (Brydee’s coach) and Chris Morgan providing mechanical technical advice, observed Brydee’s training and workshopped ideas about technique that could be applied to improve the distance thrown by Brydee.

It was identified that it would be better for her technique if her right foot was in a different location.  However, her frame was made of welded aluminium construction and didn’t allow for any adjustment. Chris then removed the right footrest and manufactured a new one which had the ability to be adjusted in the horizontal plane to allow for fine tuning. The adjustment to the frame also incorporated a heel rest.