Post on 31-Mar-2015
The Paralympics
Cathy Howells OAM BAppSc(Phty)APAM
Author, The Amputee Coach www.TheAmputeeCoach.com
From 1948 to London 2012
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Competition for Disabled Athletes:
• 1948 - disabled athletes compete on opening day of London Olympics.
• Rome 1960 – 1st official Paralympic Games, open to not just war veterans.
• 1976 – athletes with different disabilities included, not just wheelchair athletes.
• 1988 Seoul – Paralympics is coined and Games held after Olympics.
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What came out of London 2012?
Controversy: Transtibial competition
Beaten by A giraffe in underpants?
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Leg Length: What should it be?
The Proportions of Man The Vitruvian Man, Leonardo da Vinci circa 1490
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We’ve been here before…
1992 Barcelona 1996 Atlanta
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Unilateral vs Bilateral 100m
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• J. Peacock 10.9• R .Brown 11.03• A. Fourie 11.08• O.Pistorius 11.14
Unilateral vs Bilateral > 100m
1. Oscar Pistorius 46.68
2. Blake Leeper 50.14
3. David Prince 50.61 WR
4. Alan Olivera 51.59
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World Champs 2011 Christchurch T44 200m Men
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BKA vs AKA using points
GOLD: Kelly Cartwright, WR:4.38m, 1030 pts SILVER: Stephanie Reid, PR:
5.28m, 1023 pts
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TKA vs AKA vs Knee Fusion??
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World Champs 2011 Christchurch T42 100m Women’s final
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Unilateral vs Bilateral AKA <100m
• T42 100m
1.Popow,H. 12.40
2.Reardon,S. 12.43
3.Czyz,W. 12.52
7. Whitehead,R.12.99
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Unilateral vs Bilateral AKA >100m
Richard Whitehead
T42 200m
1.Whitehead 24.38
2.Vance 25.55
3.Popow 25.90
4.Reardon 26.03
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Is no legs an advantage?
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Knee joints?
• Compulsory?• Mechanical vs
Anatomical• Prototypes
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Advances in Technology
Advances in Technology
4 bar hydraulic Prototype- modified hydraulic
Selecting the right technology
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Progression of Transtibial Running Alignment
Amputee Physiotherapy Involvement
• Clean up the gait.• Empower them.• From Sickness to Wellness.• Disbility to Ability.• Education- what’s available?
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Amputee Physiotherapy involvement
• ROM• Muscle Strength• Control• Core• Muscle Activation• Movement Patterns
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Lessons from the Paralympians
Walk well before you run or anything else…
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Lessons from the Paralympians
• Appropriate prescription
• Initial upgrading to enable handling of sporting prosthesis.
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Lessons from the Paralympians
Use the power of your mind.
• Be conscious of muscles working and what it feels like.
• Treat your body like an athlete.
Mental rehearsal
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Create a new Powerhouse.
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Core:
Specific Functional
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Physical upgrading:
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It’s difficult…that’s the point!
Strength Stability
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Challenge them and you
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Never give up.
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We need to be their Champions…
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Keep your eyes on the Prize.
• Sydney 2000 Gold Medallists Men’s 4x100m and 4x400m. Both World Records.
Neil Fuller, Steve Wilson, Tim Mathews, Heath Francis.
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Not disabled athletes….ATHLETES with a disability
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Walk Well, Be Fit, Enjoy Life!
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• cathy@theamputeecoach.com
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