CURVE SPRINTING KINEMATICS EXHIBITED BY ATHLETES USING A SINGLE, TRANS-TIBIAL PROSTHESIS

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to determine whether kinematics exhibited during the curve section of a 200 m sprint are influenced by ‘limb type’ (prosthetic vs nonprosthetic limb) or ‘prosthetic limb side’ (‘inside’ compared to the ‘outside’ of the curve). Two video cameras (60 Hz) were used to capture 13 male athletes using a single, trans-tibial prosthesis during an international, 200 m T-44 competition. From mixed-model ANOVA (p < .05), prosthetic and nonprosthetic limb kinematics were different, but differences were dependent on the prosthetic limb side. The inside versus outside prosthetic limb may be affected more due to the rotational influences that affect the inside and outside foot differently. Therefore, athletes whose prosthetic limb was on the inside may be at a disadvantage compared to those with an outside prosthetic limb.