Title:
AirBands – Wireless Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Cuffs and TeleHab – Online Exercise Prescription and Monitoring App
Agreement Number:
21FAQAMA07
Agreement Value:
$294,630.00
Agreement Date:
Mar 28, 2022 - Jun 30, 2026
Description:
Musculoskeletal health decline is common in older adults and in astronauts returning from extended space missions. The main purpose of this project is to assess whether wireless blood flow restriction (BFR) technology implemented through telehealth can become a first-choice exercise delivery and monitoring tool in remote environments, like rural areas and outer space. Its primary objective is to determine and optimize the effectiveness of BFR technology to preserve health among physically inactive older adults and long-term hospitalized adults confined to bed rest and determine if it is feasible to use this technology remotely. BFR training combines low intensity exercise with blood flow occlusion and has been shown to be safe and effective in improving musculoskeletal health. Recently, BFR technology became wireless and affordable. As well, wireless BFR training can be performed in small areas like hospital beds and space exploration capsules and enable use of small equipment and low training intensities. Individuals cannot always benefit from in-person training due to being situated in hard to access environments like rural areas and outer space. Remote exercise and telerehabilitation platforms have shown that telehealth can be an effective way to deliver training.
Thus, this project will optimize the use of wireless BFR technology with telehealth in delivering remote BFR training improving musculoskeletal health for astronauts and Canadians at large. It will also provide an opportunity for the next generation of Canadian researchers to acquire an expertise in BFR training and impact the future development of space mission design and musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation. Canadians will benefit from a technology and training technique allowing them to potentially recover faster and more effectively from musculoskeletal injuries.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:
The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.
Location:
Montreal, Quebec, CA H3C 3P8
Reference Number:
003-2021-2022-Q4-00032
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Additional Information:
The Proponent has requested an extension of the Project completion date to June 30, 2026, at no additional cost to the CSA, in order to finalize project activities that were delayed due to recruitment difficulties, including the engagement of students, partners, and participants for the 16-week study.
Amendment Date
Oct 7, 2025
Recipient's Legal Name:
University of Quebec in Montreal
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.