Supporting Wheelchair Rugby Training with Assistive Suits

Innophys, a startup originating from the Tokyo University of Science that manufactures and sells assistive suits (Headquartered in Hachioji, Tokyo; President: Naotaka Otokawa), announced that it has provided four 'Muscle Suit Soft-Power' units to the Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation as an official supporter.

Moving forward, the company aims to improve the athletic environment through continuous use at training camps and training sites, while expanding efforts to reduce physical strain in the para-sports field.

■ Background and Initiative for Reducing Physical Burden
Wheelchair rugby is a sport played by athletes with limb disabilities. During daily training and camps, many scenes require significant physical exertion, such as transferring to wheelchairs and assisting with daily life activities. There was a need to reduce the physical burden not only for the athletes but also for the support staff. Based on this background, the company received an inquiry from the Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation and conducted a trial introduction of 'Muscle Suit Soft-Power' at a training camp in March 2026. The actual usage scenarios included 'transferring athletes with quadriplegia to wheelchairs,' 'bath assistance,' and 'toilet assistance.' After positive feedback regarding the reduction of back burden, the company decided to provide four units as an official sponsorship.

■ User Comment (Noriyuki Higuchi, Nurse for the Japan National Wheelchair Rugby Team)
In the wheelchair rugby field, there are daily scenes where a heavy burden is placed on the lower back, such as athlete transfer and body position adjustment. Chronic lower back fatigue was an issue, especially with toilet assistance occurring multiple times in short periods around games and practice.

Using this supporter with built-in artificial muscle assist technology, the first thing I felt was the lightness of my waist when taking a forward-leaning posture. When transferring an athlete from a wheelchair to a bed or toilet, I felt that my lower back, which had been unconsciously tensed before, was firmly supported, allowing me to perform actions with peace of mind.

What was particularly impressive was that back burden is less likely to accumulate even during long procedures. The stiffness and fatigue I usually felt after work were clearly reduced, and I felt a difference in the state of my body after completing the duties.

In a field with as much physical support as wheelchair rugby, protecting the bodies of caregivers is an important factor leading to safe and sustainable support. I hope that more staff will use such support equipment to build an environment where they can continue to stand on-site for a long time with peace of mind.

■ Innophys Comment (President: Naotaka Otokawa)
We are very honored to support the athletes and staff as an official supporter of the Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation. Upon hearing that physical burden associated with caregiving is a major issue in wheelchair rugby training, we were confident that our 'Muscle Suit Soft-Power' could be of help. That they were able to feel the reduction in back burden during the trial is a great joy for us.

Through our assistive suits, we aim to realize a world where people can live independently and contentedly as long as they live. We will continue to contribute to the improvement of the athletic environment and the creation of a society where everyone supporting para-sports can remain healthy through our technology.

■ Sponsored Product: Muscle Suit Soft-Power
By incorporating artificial muscle assist technology, cultivated in the Muscle Suit series, into the back of the supporter, we have achieved the strongest assistive power in its class among supporter types, reducing back burden by 35%. It is effective for lifting and carrying work in manufacturing/logistics warehouses, maintaining difficult postures in caregiving, and forward-leaning postures in farm work.