Prosthetics in sports
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Transcript of Prosthetics in sports
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.’