Mechanisms to absorb load in amputee running.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine if a shock absorbing pylon (SAP) influenced the ground reaction force characteristics and the shock absorbing mechanisms compared to a rigid pylon (Rigid) during the loading phase in running.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if the SAP influences the mechanisms of loading compared to the Rigid condition.

STUDY DESIGN

A convenience sample of transtibial amputees participated in a laboratory-based study. The prosthetic set-up was randomly altered fd\sdsd.

METHODS

Five recreationally active male transtibial amputees age: 18-50 years; mean mass: 86.7 ± 17.5 kg; height: 1.77 ± 0.07 m) volunteered from a population-based sample. They completed a within-participant-designed study assessing a SAP and a Rigid condition during running. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during two sessions following a one-week customization period.

RESULTS

Loading rate, peak vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces and the time to each measure along with knee and hip angular displacement, absorbing powers and work done between the SAP and Rigid conditions were not systematically affected by the prosthetic condition.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of the SAP was minimal and inconsistent in the loading phase, with only some amputees presenting higher and others with lower values for the tested variables.