DOES SIDE OF AMPUTATION AFFECT 200- AND 400-M RACE TIME IN SPRINTERS USING RUNNING-SPECIFIC PROSTHESES?

Abstract

Current Paralympic guidelines for track events are generally based on level of amputation, not side of amputation. Since 200- and 400-m sprint races are performed in a counter clockwise direction, the effects of amputations side on sprint race performance in athletes with unilateral lower limb amputation should be investigated. Forty-five unilateral transtibial amputees participating in elite-level 200- and 400-m races were analysed from publicly available Internet broadcasts. For each athlete, official race time, and amputation side were determined. We found no significant difference in official race time between left and right side amputees during the 200- and 400-m sprint, indicating that sprint performance on a standard track in amputee athletes is not affected by amputation side.