Background:
T44 sprinting with an amputation is still in a state of relative infancy. Future scope for athletic training and prosthetic limb development may be assisted with a better understanding of information derived from T44 athletes when under race-based conditions.
Objectives:
To investigate the behaviour of step count and step frequency when under competitive conditions.
Study design:
The study comprises two elements: (1) a video-based analysis of race-based limb-to-limb symmetry and (2) a video-based analysis of race-based step count.
Methods:
Video analysis of several major events from 1996–2012 are assessed for step count and step limb-to-limb symmetry characteristics.
Results:
The video analysis highlights limb-to-limb imbalances greater than those indicated in the previous literature. A low step count is determined to be desirable for success in the 100-m event.
Conclusion:
Future analysis of athletes with a lower-limb amputation would be worthwhile when placed under race-based conditions as the limb-to-limb behaviour is more exaggerated than those seen in typical studies held within a laboratory setting. The within-event behaviour of step counts requires further investigation to establish where these take place or whether it is a cumulative step length issue.
Clinical relevance
This article increases the understanding of the race-based behaviour of amputee athletes and provides more information to contribute to any discussions on the performance of lower-limb prostheses.
