Are there limits to the potential of athletic prosthetics to mimic nature? A comparison of the mechanical behavior of prosthetic and biological legs during curved sprinting: A literature review
Keywords:
Track and Field, curve-sprinting, athletes with disabilities, prosthetic legsAbstract
The pursuit of optimizing the capabilities of prosthetic legs in sport has led to the development of a research direction focusing on the analysis of the mechanical and energetic performance of advanced technological prosthetics. Of significant interest is the performance of prosthetic legs in sprint events during curve running. The aim of this literature review was to collect, cross-reference, and present the findings of studies from the last two decades (2004-2024) on the biomechanical analysis of curved sprinting and the mechanical behavior of the prosthetic legs compared to the biological legs of able-bodied athletes. To identify the relevant studies, the PRISMA Statement 2020 protocol was applied. The findings of the studies indicated that prosthetic legs do not provide an advantage to athletes, at least in events that involve curves. However, it became clear that the technology of prosthetic legs appears inefficient to fully replicate natural movement, especially when adaptation to special conditions (e.g., ground slope, wind, humidity) is required. Factors that seem to affect running technique on a curve with prosthetic legs include the height (above or below the knee) and the side of the amputation (internal or external). The conclusions of this review emphasize the need for technological specialization of prosthetic limbs, while also raising considerations regarding the fair classification of athletes in competitive categories.
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