Open AccessAthletes With Versus Without Leg Amputations: Different Biomechanics, Similar Running Economy
Author(s) -
Owen N. Beck,
Alena M. Grabowski
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
exercise and sport sciences reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1538-3008
pISSN - 0091-6331
DOI - 10.1249/jes.0000000000000174
Subject(s) - biomechanics , athletes , physical medicine and rehabilitation , running economy , sports biomechanics , medicine , physical therapy , simulation , anatomy , computer science , vo2 max , heart rate , radiology , blood pressure
Athletes with transtibial amputations use carbon-fiber prostheses to run. Compared with biological legs, these devices differ in structure and function, and consequently yield affected leg running biomechanics that are theoretically more economical than those of nonamputees. However, experimental data indicate that athletes with unilateral and bilateral transtibial amputations exhibit running economy values that are well within the range of nonamputee values.