Mechanisms to absorb load in amputee running.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to determine if a shock absorbing pylon (SAP) influenced the ground reaction force characteristics and the shock absorbing mechanisms compared to a rigid pylon (Rigid) during the loading phase in running.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if the SAP influences the mechanisms of loading compared to the Rigid condition.


METHODS
A convenience sample of transtibial amputees participated in a laboratory-based study. The prosthetic set-up was randomly altered fd\sdsd.


METHODS
Five recreationally active male transtibial amputees age: 18-50 years; mean mass: 86.7 ± 17.5 kg; height: 1.77 ± 0.07 m) volunteered from a population-based sample. They completed a within-participant-designed study assessing a SAP and a Rigid condition during running. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during two sessions following a one-week customization period.


RESULTS
Loading rate, peak vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces and the time to each measure along with knee and hip angular displacement, absorbing powers and work done between the SAP and Rigid conditions were not systematically affected by the prosthetic condition.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of the SAP was minimal and inconsistent in the loading phase, with only some amputees presenting higher and others with lower values for the tested variables.
Roehampton University, Whitelands College, Roehampton, UK. s.strike@roehampton.ac.uk
Siobhan C
SC
Strike
Oliver
O
Wickett
Marlene
M
Schoeman
Ceri E
CE
Diss
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000145:classification*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult