RUNNING MECHANICS IN UNILATERAL TRANSFEMORAL AMPUTEES ACROSS A RANGE OF SPEEDS

Authors

Hiroyuki Sakata, Tokyo University of Science, ChibaFollow
Satoru Hashizume, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo
Hiroshi Takemura, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba
Hiroaki Hobara, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo

Category

Other

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Running-specific prostheses (RSP) allows individuals with lower extremity amputations to participate in running activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the average vertical ground reaction force (F_avg), step frequency (Freq_step) and contact length (L_c) between intact and prosthetic limb across a range of running speeds. Nine unilateral transfemoral amputees with RSP performed running on instrumented treadmill at incremental speeds of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% of their maximum speed. We found that prosthetic limb generated smaller F_avg than intact limb, and had similar Freq_step between limbs. However, prosthetic limb had longer L_c than intact limb at faster speeds. These results suggest that unilateral transfemoral amputees using RSP have asymmetrical running mechanics between limbs to adapt to the increasing running speed.

Recommended Citation

Sakata, Hiroyuki; Hashizume, Satoru; Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki; Takemura, Hiroshi; and Hobara, Hiroaki (2018) "RUNNING MECHANICS IN UNILATERAL TRANSFEMORAL AMPUTEES ACROSS A RANGE OF SPEEDS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 236.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol36/iss1/236