Highlights
- •Walking characteristics of runners with a transfemoral amputation was analyzed.
- •The intact limb generated more plantarflexor and hip extensor moment.
- •The intact limb generated more positive ankle and hip joint power.
- •Runners with a transfemoral amputation rely on the intact limb while walking.
Abstract
Background
Running with prostheses has become a common activity for amputees participating in
sports and recreation. However, very few studies have characterized the kinematic
and kinetic parameters of walking in individuals with amputation who are runners.
Thus, this study attempts to elucidate the kinematics and kinetics of walking in runners
with a unilateral transfemoral amputation or knee-disarticulation.
Methods
This study experimentally compares the prosthetic and intact limbs of runners with
prostheses as well as compares the findings against the limbs of age-matched able-bodied
individuals while walking. Fourteen runners with a unilateral transfemoral amputation
or knee-disarticulation were recruited and 14 age-matched able-bodied individuals
were prepared using gait database. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters
of walking were analyzed using a 3-demensional motion capture system.
Results
The results showed that the peak ankle positive power at pre-swing and peak hip positive
power from loading response to mid stance in the intact limb were significantly larger
than that in the prosthetic limb. Moreover, to compensate for missing anatomical functions
on the prosthetic limb, it appeared that the intact limb of the runners generated
larger peak joint power by producing more ankle plantarflexor and hip extensor moments
while walking.
Interpretation
This study demonstrated that the runners rely on their intact limb while walking.
Training of hip extensor muscles of the intact limb may be beneficial for these individuals.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 30, 2020
Accepted:
July 21,
2020
Received:
June 9,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
