Article

Unique to sport with a disability such as those performed at the
Paralympics, the need to improve the performance of lower limb prostheses can
conflict with the need to provide an equal opportunity to win whilst still
needing to encourage and maximise participation. Objectives: This paper extends
previous research by attempting to propose a method suitable for sports governing
bodies to help any functional assessment of sprinting lower limb prosthesis
technology in the future. Study Design: The study comprises two elements: 1) A
historical review and evaluation of drop jump assessment techniques. 2) A pilot
test of a candidate using two mechanically different lower limb regions. Methods:
A unilateral drop jump technique is assessed historically as an evaluation
technique for sprinters with a lower-limb amputation. Further, a unilateral drop
jump using mechanically altered lower limbs is piloted. Results: The historical
review provides no evidence to suggest that this technique is not suitable for
athlete participants. The pilot trials show a statistically stable and repeatable
method of demonstrating a mechanical deficiency of one limb to another. Six jumps
are suitable to obtain stable results but the mechanical behaviour of one limb
may eventually change based on accumulated fatigue. Conclusions: The unilateral
drop jump is shown to be viable for application to an athlete population with a
lower limb unilateral amputation. Clinical relevance This paper develops previous
sports stakeholder research and pilots an assessment strategy to provide a
functional limb-to-limb comparison of the same lower limb region. This would
potentially be used by both prosthetists and the sport's governing body to help
maintain fairness in the sport as prosthesis technology develops.

Langue : ANGLAIS