How AIS engineering is transforming recovery for Para athletes

Athlete recovery is a vital part of high performance sport, yet for Para athletes, it also needs to be accessible which is where engineering can have a big impact.

As Australia’s Paralympic team were gearing up for the Paris 2024 Games, the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Engineering and REST Hub teams were busy collaborating on a cutting-edge innovation to aid their recovery.

Together, they developed customised, Para-accessible ice baths and transfer aids designed to cater to the unique needs of Para athletes with varied impairments.

“The commercially available inflatable baths historically used are not very stable when it comes to Para athletes transferring from their day chair into the bath,” AIS Sports Engineer Lead Andy Richardson said.

“We wanted to have a bath that had a stiff sidewall, as well as some custom designed and built transfer aids to support athletes ingress and egress from the pool with a high level of independence.”

The new recovery equipment, including chilling units and modified bath seating, facilitated cold water immersion recovery during the Paralympics in Paris, helping Para athletes cool down and recover faster in the hot summer conditions.

For wheelchair basketball player Phil Evans, the difference these upgrades made to his recovery experience was immediate and empowering.

“This is the first time I have felt comfortable and confident transferring into and out of the [blow up] ice bath,” he said.

“It’s been great to have the independence and not have to rely on someone else to help me and relieved a lot of anxiety about getting out of the ice bath.”

From CAD rendering to real life integration during the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

AIS Senior Recovery Physiologist Dr Steph Davies, who supported the Australian team on the ground in Paris, said the equipment was a success and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“For Para athletes, water immersion plays a critical role in optimising recovery and temperature regulation, this development of inclusive and purpose-built equipment has been essential, ensuring athlete safety, promoting independence, and enhancing overall usability,” Davies said.

AIS Engineering is now exploring ways the accessible systems can be integrated into recovery environments across the country, while work is also underway to develop a lighter, more compact version of the water chilling units—designed to keep the baths cold around the clock—that can be transported as checked baggage, reducing freight needs.

By combining innovative engineering with athlete-centred design, the AIS is helping Australia’s Para athletes recover in ways never possible before while paving the way for more inclusive recovery environments.