Normative Spatiotemporal Parameters During 100-m Sprints in Amputee Sprinters Using Running-Specific Prostheses

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Science
• Disability Sport

Background:

• Understanding the biomechanics of elite amputee sprinters is crucial for performance optimization and inclusivity in athletics.
• Previous research has focused on various aspects of athletic performance, but specific spatiotemporal parameters in amputee sprinting require further normative data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a normative sample of step frequency and step length during maximal 100-meter sprinting for amputee sprinters.
• To compare these spatiotemporal parameters between different levels of amputation (transtibial, transfemoral) and able-bodied sprinters, considering sex differences.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of publicly available video broadcasts of elite 100-meter races involving 255 amputee sprinters and 93 able-bodied sprinters (men and women).
• Calculation of average forward velocity, step frequency, and step length for each sprinter over the 100-meter distance using official race records and step counts.

Main Results:

• Able-bodied male sprinters exhibited the highest average forward velocity (10.04 m/s), followed by bilateral transtibial (8.77 m/s), unilateral transtibial (8.65 m/s), and transfemoral amputee sprinters (7.65 m/s).
• Velocity differences were linked to step length (able-bodied vs. transtibial) or both step frequency and step length (able-bodied vs. transfemoral).
• Similar trends were observed in women, with able-bodied sprinters fastest (9.10 m/s), followed by unilateral transtibial (7.08 m/s), bilateral transtibial (7.06 m/s), and transfemoral amputee sprinters (5.92 m/s), with velocity differences attributed to both step frequency and length.

Conclusions:

• Spatiotemporal parameters, including step frequency and step length, during 100-meter sprinting in amputee sprinters vary significantly based on the level of amputation and sex.
• These findings provide valuable normative data for amputee sprinting and highlight the biomechanical adaptations influenced by limb loss and gender.