Acquisition and Analysis of Long Jump Biomechanics in Paralympic Lower Limb Amputee Athletes

The investigation into the kinematic and kinetic aspects of long jump biomechanics in Paralympic athletes with lower limb amputation is crucial to understand the adaptation mechanisms these athletes use when performing jumps with specialized sport prostheses. The aim of this thesis was to develop a protocol for acquisition, analysis, and evaluation of biomechanics of long jump to provide significant comparative results. The study focused on the examination of kinematic and kinetics differences in the long jump technique among able-bodied athletes compared to those with unilateral lower-limb amputations taking off from their prosthetic limb. In particular, three long jumpers from different categories participated in the experimental sessions: one able-bodied athlete and two elite Paralympic athletes, one with a transfemoral amputation (T63) and the other with a transtibial amputation (T64). The test sessions conducted on the track involved the use of specific Motion Capture instrumentation, including optoelectronic video cameras and a dynamometric platform. The collected data were then processed in Matlab to perform the kinematic analysis aimed at joint angles and centre-of-mass kinematics, and secondly the kinetic analysis of the ground reaction forces, impulses and joint moments developed during the take-off phase. The results of the analysis are then compared to highlight differences between long jumpers’ categories and contribute to a deeper understanding of long jump performance-related parameters. Applying this protocol to a substantial number of athletes will enable the acquisition of robust and generalisable data regarding optimisation of performance and reduction of injury risk in athletes who are both disabled and able-bodied. In addition, data collected provides a basis for in-vitro running-specific-prosthesis (RSPs) mechanical characterization and to inform the design and safety for future prosthesis.