Sports Technology For Para-athletes: Closing The Gap

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 30 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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This issue of Sports Technology, published by Wiley-Blackwell, spotlights recent developments that seek to close the gap between able-bodied athletes and para-athletes, with two published articles highlighting running prostheses.

The first article, entitled "Biomechanics of double transtibial amputee sprinting using dedicated sprinting prostheses" by Bruggemann et al., compares the sprinting mechanics data of able-bodied sprinters with that of a double transtibial amputee by examining the overall kinetics and the kinetics at the joints - while sprinting at maximum speed.

The carbon blade used by the amputee sprinter has a significant advantage in both energy storage and return in fast sprinting, in comparison to the healthy human ankle joint. The blade allows the disabled sprinter to deliver the same level of performance as an able-bodied athlete - but at a lower metabolic cost.

The other article, "Lower Extremity Leg Amputation: an advantage in running?", authored by Lechler and Lilja describes the clinical view of fitting an amputee with a prosthetic leg.

The paper provides a general overview on prosthesis technology. It highlights the challenges and disadvantages of a prosthetic fitting - including the difficulties in selection, fitting and the alignment adaptation of the socket; as well as other issues such as the compensatory strategies of the amputee.

The full table of contents for this issue of Sports Technology is available online at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117899685/home

These papers are published in the January 2009 issue of Sports Technology (Vol. 1, Issue 4-5).

About Sports Technology

Sports Technology is a unique source of information on all aspects of sports technology. This international journal aims to establish stronger links between industrial and academic research, and enhance communication between athletes, coaches, engineers, scientists, biomechanists, managers and administrators involved with sports and sports technology. Design and development of sports products and infrastructure require close collaboration between all stakeholders, as well as good understanding of both life and sports sciences, principles of economy and engineering. Therefore it is only natural that a journal focusing on sports technology is inter-and transdisciplinary as well as holistic in its approach.

Sports Technology publishes articles that are classified either as scientific research articles (focusing on the scientific aspects of sports technology research) or technical research and development articles (focusing on the commercial product design and development aspects).

About Wiley-Blackwell

Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with Wileys Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com or http://www.interscience.wiley.com.

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Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Peace.

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