Description:

Introducing ASCEND, the world's first rock climbing specific ankle brace for injury rehabilitation. ASCEND minimises the recurrence of ankle injuries caused by falls and impacts. It aims to prevent the inversion and hyperextension of the ankle with innovative shock-absorbing straps. These straps act as external ligaments that prevent the ankle from going past its normal range of movement.

Climbers are notorious for wearing tight shoes for performance and feel against the rock face. This means compression ankle braces cannot fit comfortably inside climbing shoes while a climber recovers from an injury. Sometimes it isn’t possible for them to fit inside at all.

I have found no rock climbing specific ankle support mechanisms that enable rock climbers to re-engage in their sport as part of their rehabilitation.

Falling is a natural part of climbing. Climbers not only have to be able to climb on their ankle but to also land from falls while minimising the chance of reinjuring themselves. So confidence in your ability and equipment is a critical element of climbing. If a climber's mental strength waivers on the wall it can impact their performance significantly. Lans Hansen, a rock climber and designer, fell and "badly sprained” his ankle. He expressed that "the injury is constantly on your mind, even though the tendons are well into the healing process. At that point you would do anything to help stabilise and protect the tendon to avoid repeating that experience, and having some bracing helps the return to full confidence”.

The ASCEND project seeks to help climbers physically and mentally when they are returning to climbing post injury.

ASCEND has two main components:

1. The ankle strap which features velcro sections that hold it securely in place. The clips for the Achilles tendon strap and lateral strap are all sewn into place. All the elements are located in particular areas to maximise the straps flexibility and allow the climber’s ankle to easily move into the dorsiflexion or plantarflexion position (moving their ankle forwards and backwards). This is important as climbers need full range of movement when climbing.

2. The shock absorbing straps. These have 3 layers. An outer layer made out of abrasion resistant low tensile strength rubber. A middle layer made from high tensile strength rubber used to dampen the force and avoid shock loading the ankle. Then an inner layer made with Dyneema, a static, very strong and lightweight material. This ensures the ankle will not hyperextend or invert past its natural range of movement.

Rock climbers that experience an ankle injury should first receive treatment from a medical professional and follow prescribed rehabilitation exercises. ASCEND can perform a supporting part in injury rehabilitation allowing the ankle to strengthen while giving the climber confidence that should the unexpected happen, ASCEND will be there.