Abstract
PURPOSE: Previous studies of para-sprinters relied on public video data, limiting analyses to race-averaged parameters, leaving phase-specific differences unclear. This study examined the acceleration (AP) and maximal velocity phase (MVP) of world-class Paralympic athletes compared to able-bodied (AB) sprinters.
METHODS: Two male and one female Paralympic athletes who placed top six in sprint events at the 2024 Paralympic Games participated. The athletes included one unilateral transfemoral (UTF), one bilateral transtibial (BTT), and one unilateral transradial (UTR) amputee. A comparison group included two male and one female able-bodied (AB) sprinters with matched 100 m personal bests (within 0.05 s). Athletes performed 20 m block starts and 20 m flying sprints with 40 m run-up. Spatiotemporal
parameters (step length (SL), step frequency (SF), contact and flight time (FT)) were measured using Optojump, with split times via timing gates.
RESULTS: In the AP, Paralympic athletes showed reduced average velocities compared to matched AB sprinters: UTF (5.93 vs. 6.99 ms-1), BTT (6.75 vs. 7.28 ms-1) and UTR (6.03 vs. 6.24 ms-1). In the MVP, BTT remained slower (9.84 vs. 10.34 ms-1) while UTR (8.77 vs 8.31 ms-1) and UTF (9.37 vs. 8.32 ms-1) outperformed AB sprinters. During the AP, BTT and UTF had shorter SLs (UTF: 136 vs. 167 cm; BTT: 146 vs. 166 cm) but higher SFs (BTT: 4.62 vs. 4.39 Hz; UTF: 4.36 vs. 4.19 Hz) than AB sprinters. During the MVP, both BTT and UTF athletes showed larger SLs (BTT: 224 vs. 219 cm; UTF: 218 vs. 188 cm) and longer FTs (BTT: 132 vs. 121 ms; UTF: 129 vs. 115 ms). UTF showed greater SL asymmetry (236 vs. 206 cm) between legs, unlike the <2% asymmetry in all other athletes.
CONCLUSION: Phase-specific analyses reveal key differences between Paralympic and AB athletes, overlooked by race-averaged data in a multiple case study. These findings highlight the need for individualized strategies to address biomechanical challenges in para-sprinters
METHODS: Two male and one female Paralympic athletes who placed top six in sprint events at the 2024 Paralympic Games participated. The athletes included one unilateral transfemoral (UTF), one bilateral transtibial (BTT), and one unilateral transradial (UTR) amputee. A comparison group included two male and one female able-bodied (AB) sprinters with matched 100 m personal bests (within 0.05 s). Athletes performed 20 m block starts and 20 m flying sprints with 40 m run-up. Spatiotemporal
parameters (step length (SL), step frequency (SF), contact and flight time (FT)) were measured using Optojump, with split times via timing gates.
RESULTS: In the AP, Paralympic athletes showed reduced average velocities compared to matched AB sprinters: UTF (5.93 vs. 6.99 ms-1), BTT (6.75 vs. 7.28 ms-1) and UTR (6.03 vs. 6.24 ms-1). In the MVP, BTT remained slower (9.84 vs. 10.34 ms-1) while UTR (8.77 vs 8.31 ms-1) and UTF (9.37 vs. 8.32 ms-1) outperformed AB sprinters. During the AP, BTT and UTF had shorter SLs (UTF: 136 vs. 167 cm; BTT: 146 vs. 166 cm) but higher SFs (BTT: 4.62 vs. 4.39 Hz; UTF: 4.36 vs. 4.19 Hz) than AB sprinters. During the MVP, both BTT and UTF athletes showed larger SLs (BTT: 224 vs. 219 cm; UTF: 218 vs. 188 cm) and longer FTs (BTT: 132 vs. 121 ms; UTF: 129 vs. 115 ms). UTF showed greater SL asymmetry (236 vs. 206 cm) between legs, unlike the <2% asymmetry in all other athletes.
CONCLUSION: Phase-specific analyses reveal key differences between Paralympic and AB athletes, overlooked by race-averaged data in a multiple case study. These findings highlight the need for individualized strategies to address biomechanical challenges in para-sprinters
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Titel | Book of Abstracts 7th RehabMove Congress |
| Seitenumfang | 1 |
| Erscheinungsdatum | 21.05.2025 |
| Auflage | 7 |
| Seiten | 36 |
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 21.05.2025 |
| Veranstaltung | 7th RehabMove Congress - Groningen, Niederlande Dauer: 21.05.2025 → 23.05.2025 |
Auszeichnungen
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Best Oral Presentation: Adaptive Sports (7th RehabMove Congress)
Oeppert, Tom (Empfänger/-in), 23.05.2025
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