A CASE STUDY OF STRIDE FREQUENCY AND SWING TIME IN ELITE ABLEBODIED SPRINT RUNNING: IMPLICATIONS FOR AMPUTEE DEBATE

Abstract

Recent research into trans-tibial double-amputee sprint performance has debated the possible inherent advantages, disadvantages and limitations to sprinting with prosthetic limbs compared to healthy limbs. Biomechanical data gathered throughout a training season from an elite able-bodied sprinter provide a new perspective on this debate. Peak stride frequency was measured at 2.62 Hz, and the corresponding swing time was estimated to be 0.287 s in the able-bodied sprinter. Published swing time and stride frequency values from the double-amputee at maximum velocity, thought to be beyond biological limits, therefore may not be so, although previously published research has provided evidence that some joint kinetic values from the double-amputee have not been shown in elite able-bodied sprinting.