Vicky and Thomas began in Pittsburgh catching up with Professor Rory Cooper and Rosie Cooper, from the University of Pittsburgh, alongside Erica Gavel, PLY from Ontario Tech University. The team were shown around the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at the University and discussed their current research pathways as well as future collaboration opportunities between institutions.
Later, as part of a mini symposium, Thomas presented his work surrounding Wheelchair Rugby and Powerchair Football. Vicky also discussed “Evidence-based SCI exercise guidelines”. The team managed to secure some down time by going to the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball game and getting the full American experience.
Both Vicky and Thomas headed to Boston for the American College of Sports Medicine conference with a ‘Female Athlete’ research session where Thomas presented a poster on some key work within Female Wheelchair Rugby.
We caught up with them both to hear in more detail about their trip.
Vicky
My return to University of Pittsburgh began with an American tradition: a baseball game followed by a lovely BBQ at Rory and Rosi’s house, setting a perfect backdrop for reconnecting with international friends and colleagues. Thomas, Erica and I had a busy following day sharing our research and being shown around the Human Engineering Research Labs. It was a busy three days, which were followed by attendance at the ACSM conference in Boston. The ACSM conference is the most comprehensive sports medicine and exercise conference that I’ve attended. Whilst it gave me a chance to hear about the latest science, with good pre-planning and you could get lost at such a huge event, I was able to spend time with Dr Cheri Blauwet and Prof Maureen MacDonald to discuss future ideas and generally catch up. I also had an opportunity to expand my networks and meet Tessa Gallinger from the Canadian Paralympic Committee.”
Thomas
Vicky, Erica and I had a great research trip to Pittsburgh and Boston. In Pittsburgh I had the opportunity to meet Prof Rory Cooper and Rosie Cooper, who are leading researchers in the field of adapted technology. We were shown around the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, in which multiple projects took place from transfer devices and foldable wheelchairs to instrumented smart wheels. In a mini symposium session, I was able to share research on our latest powerchair football and wheelchair rugby work. In powerchair football we explored the chair mobility of the players on court using IMUs, while our wheelchair rugby project focuses on female classification. In Boston we attended the American College of Sports Medicine Annual meeting, which was attended by thousands of others. From big sessions on female research to smaller ones on blade runners, a lot of interesting sessions were attended. It was a pleasure meeting international researchers, Prof Maureen McDonald, Prof Stuart Phillips and Prof Floor Hettinga. On the final day I had the opportunity to present our female wheelchair rugby classification project during one of the poster sessions. Some interesting conversations with researchers from the USA, Canada, UK and Italy about the importance of this work.
Erica also gave us an insight to how valuable this trip was for her.
I think it’s really hard to imagine the Paralympic Movement from a sport science and innovation perspective without the work of Dr. Rory Cooper and Dr. Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey — true leaders and pioneers in our field. The opportunity to spend time with both of them was a tremendous honour and privilege.
It is great to see such crucial work continuing to develop in the space of para sport and wonderful for our PHC researchers to have the opportunity to visit overseas and collaborate with leaders in the field.