title: Evaluation of methods for calculating maximum allowable standing height in amputees competing in Paralympic athletics.
abstract: The International Paralympic Committee has a maximum allowable standing height (MASH) rule that limits stature to a pre-trauma estimation. The MASH rule reduces the probability that bilateral lower limb amputees use disproportionately long prostheses in competition. Although there are several methods for estimating stature, the validity of these methods has not been compared. To identify the most appropriate method for the MASH rule, this study aimed to compare the criterion validity of estimations resulting from the current method, the Contini method, and four Canda methods (Canda-1, Canda-2, Canda-3, and Canda-4). Stature, ulna length, demispan, sitting height, thigh length, upper arm length, and forearm length measurements in 31 males and 30 females were used to calculate the respective estimation for each method. Results showed that Canda-1 (based on four anthropometric variables) produced the smallest error and best fitted the data in males and females. The current method was associated with the largest error of those tests because it increasingly overestimated height in people with smaller stature. The results suggest that the set of Canda equations provide a more valid MASH estimation in people with a range of upper limb and bilateral lower limb amputations compared with the current method.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. m.connick@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Connick
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beckman
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Oita College of Rehabilitation, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ibusuki
authors.affiliation: Lakeshore Foundation, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tweedy
mesh_terms: D000674:Amputees; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D044466:Asian People; D001315:Australia; D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D064846:Sports for Persons with Disabilities / Q000592:standards*; D013848:Thigh / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014457:Ulna / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D044465:White People
keywords: Running-specific prosthetics; blades; disability sport; leg length; sprinting