Participants at the event, organised by the WCF and held with the support of Curling Canada, passed their findings to the WCF Competition and Rules and Athletes' Commissions, who also received a preliminary report from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

Various sweeping techniques and more than 50 different brush constructions were considered over three days of testing, which was supervised by the NRC.

The WCF Commissions now intend to take the information from the Summit and formulate it into proposals for new rules and equipment standards, which will in turn be presented and voted on at the WCF Members' Congress and Annual General Assembly in Sweden’s capital Stockholm in September.

"I was very impressed with the collaboration of all the athletes, manufacturers, governing bodies, ice makers and observers," said Canadian curler Brad Gushue, a gold medallist at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

"We feel the game is in a better position after this Summit.

"I'm looking forward to playing next season."

Representatives from all of the WCF’s Member Associations were invited to send their high performance experts to observe the testing and offer their input, which along with that of the manufacturers helped influence the tests being conducted.

WCF President, Kate Caithness, congratulated all the participants for their efforts aimed at helping ensure a positive future for curling.

"It is wonderful to see the commitment and enthusiasm here at the Summit," she said.

"Everyone who is present has come together to find a practical solution to one of the biggest challenges our sport has faced.

"The spirit of curling that has been on show this week reinforces my belief that we have so many great people in our sport who are willing to work long and hard to help positively develop the game."

Earlier this year, brushes made out of hair became the latest to be banned by the WCF for the remainder of the 2015-16 season as the governing body continued to address concerns with certain sweeping devices within the sport.

Back in October of last year, a number of teams on the Canadian circuit decided to stop using brushes which contained modified fabric following fears over the impact the technology has on the field of play as well as the influence on the path of the stone.

A petition was set up and attracted signatures from representatives of 52 teams at international level.

After the WCF became aware of the issue they issued a moratorium ahead of the European Championships, held in Esbjerg in Denmark last November, which prohibited the use of the brushes during the competition and for the rest of the 2015-16 campaign.

This ban was placed on brush heads which contain fabric which has been textured, sealed or modified from its original woven form, as well as "hardening or stiffening inserts located between the outer fabric and internal cushioning material of the brush head", according to the moratorium.

Curling’s worldwide governing body also insisted only equipment available for sale to the public at retail outlets was permitted during the tournament in Esbjerg. 

Concerns were then raised by players about the impact of brushes made out of hair on the ice and the direction of the stone, prompting the WCF to perform a series of tests before choosing to enforce a ban on their use.

"All the players were absolutely motivated to find a solution to the sweeping problem," said Switzerland's Christine Urech, a reigning women’s world curling champion.

"We tested different pads from different manufacturers looking at how to keep the stone straight, make it curl more, travel further or shorter distances.

"We looked at different materials with different textures and levels of waterproofing and what does and does not damage the ice.

"We are happy that we have found a great suggestion which will solve the problem and let us look forward to next season."