Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Canadian Sport Institute Calgary (CSIC), Red Deer Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing – Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC), and Bowhead Corp. are collaborating to develop customized parasport equipment for Canadian athletes. This collaboration between sports, applied research, and manufacturing aims to create inclusive design, ensuring para-athletes have access to comfortable and safe equipment tailored to their needs. The project targets bridging the gap between expensive custom equipment and limited commercial options through innovative design and advanced manufacturing techniques. There is a scarcity of manufacturers in Canada specializing in tailored sports equipment, leading to long wait times and high costs. Advanced design and manufacturing methods are expected to make specialized equipment production more appealing to domestic manufacturers. The project aims to develop a methodology for designing and manufacturing para-sport equipment that optimizes performance and reduces costs. Initially focusing on para ice hockey, the project plans to expand to other sports. Research on parasport equipment is limited due to historical underrepresentation and financial constraints. The project aims to address this by evaluating the unique relationship between athletes and their mobility equipment. Current design approaches often fail to address the unique needs of para-athletes, either by creating one-size-fits-all solutions or highly individualized designs. The project will leverage knowledge from both able-bodied sports and assistive devices to inform the design of para ice hockey sledges. Parameters like speed, acceleration, pressure distribution, range of motion, and mechanical efficiency will be used to evaluate the equipment. Statistical Shape Modeling (SSM) will be employed to create affordable and customizable para-hockey buckets, potentially applicable to other parasports. The collaborative effort between CSIC, CIM-TAC, and Bowhead Corp. aims to revolutionize parasport equipment design and manufacturing in Canada, providing customized, affordable solutions for para-athletes. This initiative not only addresses the current equipment challenges but also promotes inclusive design, advanced manufacturing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.