Prosthetics in Sports

By Jonathan Powell

Prosthetics in sports

• Prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a body part

• Because of the improvements in technology, people with missing limbs can still participate in various sports

Types of Prosthetics

Sport Specific Prosthetics

• Most pro level competing people who use a prosthetic have custom made prosthetics

• These prosthetics are customized to fit a need for any specific sport

Prosthetics in Baseball

• For batting, a prosthetic must duplicate a wrist break to have a smooth unrestricted swing with a follow through

• The Power Swing Ring allows this

Prosthetics in Baseball Continued

• Fielding requires catching skills. A specialized body powered device that is pulled open with a cable action and closes when the player relaxes

Prosthetics in Swimming• Many swimmers

without missing limbs choose to not use a prosthetic

• Others use paddle like devices to conserve energy

Prosthetics in Running

• The most common type of prosthetic for running is a J shaped device used as a foot

• These prosthetics are the most common in all sports

• These prosthetics are known as Cheetahs

Controversy

• On January 14, South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius was banned from the 2008 Olympics by the IAAF(The International Association of Athletics Federations). Tests by Dr. Briggemann, a leading expert in biomechanics of running, showed that Pistorius’ prosthetics gave him an advantage over runners with human legs. His legs allow him to loose less energy with a larger energy return and less fatigue.

Controversy Continued

• When running, the human foot touches the ground and goes through a pause and then a push off phase. Energy is lost in this process. The tests by Briggeman showed that the Cheetahs lost 30 percent less energy than an average human would without a prosthetic would. Also, the Cheetahs would allow a sprinter to use 25 percent less oxygen than a sprinter without the prosthetics.

Prosthetics, the future of Sports?• In Eric Adelson’s article

“Let ‘Em Play”, in ESPN The Magizine, Adelson says ‘Shed a tear for the "disabled" today. Tomorrow they might pity you.’