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).
Media wishing to receive a PDF or schedule media interviews with the authors should contact Alina Boey, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at aboey@wiley.com or phone +65 96565580.
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).
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Sports Technology