800 Mile Review of the ARYSE IFAST Ankle Braces
Next Generation Exoskeleton Technology to Aid in Ankle Injury Recovery and Injury Prevention
Over the last six months, I have been putting a pair of ARYSE IFASTs to the test. So far I have rucked over 800 miles wearing these devices with single-day marches as long as 62 miles. My experiences with the IFASTs have lead me to firmly believe that the technology will be considered “essential equipment” for military members in the near future. With ARYSE firmly dedication to optimize these devices for military service, I believe they will have a model ready for combat operations by the end of the year.
Soldiers march on their skeletal systems
As a veteran and military historian, I am well aware of the military requirement to march. From antiquity to the current day, moving and carrying a fighting load is critical for success on the battlefield. With the passage of time, the loads carried by soldiers have only increased as armies seek technological advantages over their foes. But this ever-increasing requirement comes at a physical cost. Training, over-use, and combat-related musculoskeletal injuries (MSK-I)are common.
Lower extremity MSK-I account for 40% of non-combat evacuations. Service members suffer more than 627,000 lower extremity MSK-I injuries per year, with ankle sprains being the majorities of these injuries in cadets and active-duty personnel. While it is possible to recover from a single significant ankle injury, re-injury of the same ankle often leads to shortened military careers. This is no small problem as ankle injuries cost the Military Health System over $548 million annually and more than 25 million duty days are lost or limited due to these injuries.
Finding a solution
While many nations are attempting to design powered exoskeletons to help address the issue of over-burdened soldiers, it appears that significant advances in battery technology would still be needed to power these units. However, there is a lightweight and available technology that could be immediately used to reduce ankle injuries.
The ARYSE Internal Functional Anatomic Stabilizing Technology (IFAST) is a lightweight polyurethane exoskeleton that provides extra reinforcement to the ankle’s ligament system. At slightly over four ounces a pair, the IFAST can be used to prevent injuries or aid in ankle injury recovery.
Unlike traditional ankle braces or taping, the ARYSE IFAST allows for the joint’s full range of motion with the artificial ligaments only engaging at the end of the normal range of motion. A study done by DARI Motion Study found the IFAST to be superior in allowing performance and providing comfort, while providing equal protection when compared to an Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis (ASO) or athletic taping. In military applications, the IFAST would allow for improved performance of service members while operating in uneven terrain, carrying heavy loads, and during sudden movements. The IFAST could easily be adapted in infantry, airborne, and initial entry units to reduce injuries and preserve combat strength.
This evidence-based technology has an established history in the athletic industry. For example one NCAA school recently adopted the IFASTs for its men’s basketball team. It reported only 2 minor sprains and no loss of days while using the IFAST. In the two years prior, they had 8–9 ankle sprains per season and lost 76–133 playing days due to these injuries. During my 2009–2010 deployment to COB Speicher, Iraq, more soldiers were inquired playing basketball for physical fitness training than due to combat operations. Given the reduction of basketball-related injuries (due to the frequent rapid pivots and jumps of the game), we can assume that we would see a similar reduction of injuries for those on combat patrols. It might also be advisable for the US Army to immediately authorize the use of ARYSE IFAST during the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to reduce ankle injuries during the various events including the rapid pivots of the sprint-drag-carry. With its proven performance in the sports industry, the only major hurdle to overcome with the IFAST is to optimize the design for combat operations. This would mean ensuring these are capable of interfacing with combat boots with the ability to be worn for much longer durations than what would be typical of the average sporting event.
The trial
When I discover the IFAST, I jumped at the chance to test this product for military applications. I had already been in the process of training for ultra-marathon length ruck marches trying to copy the legendary marching capabilities of Captain Alden Partridge. I had already rucked 1,600 miles in the previous 15 months, and adding the IFAST into the routine required little effort. Throwing on a pair takes less than two minutes.
For the last six months, I have pushed the IFAST far beyond the typical wear of a soldier to test its true durability and function. On average I have been rucking over five miles per day. I have covered more than 800 miles including four ultra-marathon length marches. I have taken these devices to the extremes including a 62-mile march conducted in under 21 hour. I have worn the IFAST through snow and torrential rain, in temperature ranges from 10–90°F. While I only have 800 miles of wear on my IFASTs so far, I have little doubt that their service life will exceed 1,000 miles of rucking (what I would expect for the service life of combat boots).
In the following section, I will discuss three issues I found with the IFAST and how ARYSE is addressing these problems. I will recount a time when I had the IFAST engage on my march. Finally I will conclude with my vision for the future of the IFAST.
1. Moisture
The first issue I experienced with the IFAST was a problem with moisture control. In the design for sports use, the IFAST includes a neoprene sleeve designed to keep the ankle warm and provide compression. It was unfortunate that this neoprene sleeve blocked all the vents that were designed into my Rocky S2V Enhanced Jungle Boots (this would likely be an issue with many brands and styles of military boots). Even wearing premium wool socks, I would develop blisters on my heels in as little as 2 hours or 6 miles of marching. By mile 70 of the test, I was done with the sleeve and removed them. I am happy to report that removing the sleeve eliminated all moisture issues and I have not had a single blister caused by the IFAST since that time.
2. Pressure points
Removing the neoprene sleeves did create pressure points under the rivets of the eyelets. At first I compensated by wearing heavy-weight wool socks. ARYSE would go on to supply me with a couple of different designs of stick-on pads to address this issue. With the pads, I had no further issues with pressure points regardless of the weight of the socks I decide to wear. While the stick-on pads provide a temporary solution, ARYSE is already hard at work developing a permeant way of attaching these pads that could endure the rigors of combat duty.
3. Cable wear
While this hasn’t been a true “issue,” I have noticed wear on the cabling used for the artificial ligament support. The rough rawhide interior of my boots has worn away the “kern” of the outer layer of the kernmantle cabling used in this design. The “mantle” or interior layer of the cable demonstrates insignificant levels of wear. Learning of this wear point, ARYSE has already developed a design for this cabling to loop back on itself in future models, thus making this a field repairable part if needed.
Saved from a soaking wet limp home
I did have one experience on the trails were I felt the IFAST system engage. I was marching in a blowing snowstorm and lost track of where the trail was under the snow. I missed fully stepping on the trail and my ankle inverted. Normally in the situation I would purposely fall understanding how this position could lead to a significant injury if I struggled to stand upright. But in this occasion, I was on the edge of a steep and rocky creek bank. I was rather startled by the experience, but the IFAST helped me remain upright and complete a step forward. While I cannot guarantee that I would have an ankle inversion injury without the IFAST, I can say I was grateful that I neither injured my ankle of ended up in the creek in the middle of a snowstorm a long way from help. One thing I can say about the general experience of wearing the IFAST is the greater level of confidence it provides in avoiding ankle injuries. While this might simply be psychosomatic, I must say I have grown so confident in the IFAST that I will not march long distances without them.
A way ahead
The ARYSE IFAST would offer many benefits to the US Military from reducing the cost of healthcare to preserving the strength of combat arms units in operational environments. ARYSE is highly responsive in adapting their proven athletic technology to meet the needs of the warfighter.
A sleeveless design with permanently attached padding and replicable cordage will go far in addressing the needed modification of this technology for military service.
I believe their upcoming IFAST design will soon be considered “essential equipment” for soldiers. While the IFAST itself is an excellent design, I am hopeful that ARYSE can eventually partner with a boot manufacturer to integrate this technology into combat boots. I would encourage investment and partnerships with this company to further refine this technology and safeguard the health of our service members.
For those interested in purchasing an ARYSE IFAST, they are available at: https://aryse.com/product/ifast/
An affiliate discount code for 10% off ARYSE products appears in the video below
The views presented are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Department of Defense or its components.
