title: Differences in Military Obstacle Course Performance Between Three Energy-Storing and Shock-Adapting Prosthetic Feet in High-Functioning Transtibial Amputees: A Double-Blind, Randomized Control Trial.
abstract: Approximately 683 persons engaged in military service experienced transtibial amputation (TTA) related to recent war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military TTAs function at a level beyond basic ambulation. No empirical data demonstrate which higher functioning prosthetic feet maximize injured service personnel's ability to continue performing at a level commensurate with return to duty. This study's purpose was to determine which of three high-functioning, energy-storing prosthetic feet maximize performance and preference in a field obstacle course (OC) and to quantify physical performance differences between TTAs and high-functioning nonamputees.
  
  
  
  A randomized, double-blind, repeated measures experimental design compared three prosthetic feet (Ossur Variflex, Endolite Elite Blade, and Ossur Re-Flex Rotate) during performance on a field OC. TTAs accommodated with study feet and the OC before assessment. 14 TTAs and 14 nonamputee controls completed the course. Subjective and objective performance differences were compared across feet conditions and between groups.
  
  
  
  Total OC completion times were similar between prosthetic feet: Elite-Blade (419 seconds ± 130), Variflex (425 seconds ± 144), and Re-Flex Rotate (444 seconds ± 220). Controls' OC completion time (287.2 seconds ± 58) was less (p ≤ 0.05) than TTA times. In total, controls had faster completion times (p ≤ 0.05) compared to all prosthetic feet conditions in 13/17 obstacles. Re-Flex Rotate had 2 additional obstacles different (p ≤ 0.05) than controls and required more time to complete. Median RPE values were lower (p ≤ 0.05) for controls than TTA regardless of foot. Regarding foot preference for OC completion, 7/14 (50%) preferred Elite Blade, 5/14 (36%) preferred Re-Flex Rotate, and the remaining 2/14 (14%) preferred Variflex.
  
  
  
  Controls completed the OC faster and with less effort than TTAs regardless of prosthetic foot. No clear differences in prosthetic feet emerged during OC completion; however, individual task performance, perceived effort, and preference resulted in trends of slight performance improvement with and preference for Elite Blade, a dual function energy-storing and return foot combined with vertical shock absorption. Understanding how to maximally improve performance in such functional tasks may allow service members to best sustain physical fitness, return to their military occupational specialty and possibly in-theater duty.
authors.affiliation: Extremity Trauma & Amputation Center of Excellence, 2748 Worth Road, Suite 29, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: M Jason
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Highsmith
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, 3515 E, Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612.
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kahle
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, 3515 E, Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612.
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Miro
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering and Software Engineering, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965.
authors.forename: Derek J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lura
authors.affiliation: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of South Florida, 4202 E, Fowler Avenue, ENB 118, Tampa, FL 33612.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Willow Wood, 15441 Scioto Darby Road, P. O. Box 130, Mount Sterling, OH 43143.
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wernke
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, 3515 E, Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612.
authors.forename: Seok Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of South Florida, 3515 E, Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Quillen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data