Earlier this year coach Evans and athlete Brandon Beack travelled to the Czech capital of Prague for the 12th edition of the Games, as part of the team representing South Africa.

Beack claimed the gold medal in the shot put event on his international athletics debut, while Evans worked on a study into the effects of robotic exoskeleton walking on individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries.

"As a clinician and researcher, I was privileged to attend my first IWAS Under-23 World Games in Prague this year," said Evans.

"For me, these games reinforced the importance of using sport not only as a rehabilitative tool but also as an opportunity to showcase the strength of the human spirit."

A robotic exoskeleton will now be used for those performing robotic walking training, alongside conventional rehabilitation equipment such as parallel bars, free weights and standing frames for the exercise activity-based programme.

Those involved in the study will attend three rehabilitation sessions per week for a total of 24-weeks, as well as medical and psychological assessments throughout the study. 

"This research is being done to compare the effects of a robotic walking and an exercise activity-based rehabilitation programme on individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury," added Evans.

"The scientific community does not fully know what the long-term effects of robotic walking are when compared to exercise activity-based rehabilitation.

"This study hopes to fill those gaps of knowledge."

IWAS has said it "looks forward to continuing the relationship with Robert Evans as they prepare to expand their rehabilitation centre in March 2017".