Comparative Analysis of Steady and Resisted Accelerated Treadmill Running of an Elite Amputee Paralympic Sprinter

Running Prosthetic Feet (RPF) enable athletes with lower limb amputation to compete in track races. Both Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs) and kinematics analyses allow evaluating running performance but they are seldom measured together. This work aims to compare kinematic and kinetic biomechanical parameters of an elite amputee Paralympic sprinter in a pilot feasibility study. Tests were performed on a commercial treadmill placed on four force platforms. Two conditions were tested: Steady State Running (SSR) and Resisted Accelerated Running (RAR). SSR results show that unaffected limb (UL) vertical GRF was 70% higher than affected limb (AL). Differences in trunk, hip, knee, and ankle angles were observed both between AL and UL sides (e.g., knee extension during stance), and between SSR and RAR tests (e.g., trunk inclination). Results obtained could be helpful to trainers to improve overall sprinting performance.