Three-Dimensional Take-off Step Kinetics of Long Jumpers with and without a Transtibial Amputation

Johannes Funken, Steffen Willwacher, Kai Heinrich, Ralf Müller, Hiroaki Hobara, Alena M Grabowski, Wolfgang Potthast

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: The loads applied on the musculo-skeletal system during the long jump take-off step are not well established for non-amputee athletes or athletes with a lower extremity amputation. Information on joint loading and potential injury mechanisms is important for improving training or rehabilitation protocols, prosthetic design and the general understanding of the long jump.

METHODS: Three-dimensional take-off step kinematics and kinetics were used for inverse dynamic model calculations on three male athletes with and seven male athletes without a below the knee amputation (BKA). Athletes with BKA used their affected leg as their take-off leg.

RESULTS: Despite equivalent long jump performance, ground reaction force application characteristics were widely different and calculated joint loads were significantly lower in athletes with BKA compared to non-amputee athletes during the take-off step. The take-off step of the long jump for athletes with BKA seems to be dominated by sagittal plane movements, while for non-amputee athletes it involves sagittal plane movement and compensatory joint work in the frontal plane.

CONCLUSIONS: Coaches and athletes should adapt training protocols to the unique musculo-skeletal loading patterns of long jumpers with or without a BKA. Specifically, non-amputee athletes should strengthen the muscles responsible for hip and knee extension, as well as for frontal plane stabilization, early in the season to avoid injuries. The presented data enables clinicians to identify potential causes of pain or injury more differentially in both groups of athletes and might stimulate future research in the field of robotics and prosthetic components. Furthermore, the altered joint mechanics of athletes with BKA versus non-amputees serves as an explanation for their previously described more effective take-off step.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMedicine and science in sports and exercise
Volume51
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)716-725
Number of pages10
ISSN0195-9131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.04.2019

Research areas and keywords

  • Journal Article

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