amputee running
Skewes, Ed
Description
Collection
Title:
amputee running
Creator:
Skewes, Ed
Date:
1/6/2006
Text:
Thought some of you might find this interesting.
Ed Skewes
Five Steps for the Introduction to Lower Limb Amputee Running
By Robert Gailey, PhD, PT
Learning how to run with a prosthesis can be very challenging, yet, when
simplified into series of relatively basic elements, it can be much
easier to learn. The following are the five easy steps that have made
it possible for me to teach hundreds of people to relearn the skill of
running, and enabled them to benefit from the ability to move fast when
necessary. Initially, for safety reasons, I strongly suggested that
skilled clinicians work with their clients and use a gait belt.
Step 1: Prosthetic Trust
Step One requires gaining trust in the prosthesis, or instilling the
confidence of knowing that the prosthetic limb is going to be there and
not collapse when the amputee's prosthetic limb strikes the ground.
This is accomplished by reaching out with the prosthetic limb and
landing squarely on the foot. The runner should ignore everything else
and know that the prosthetic limb will be there.
Step 2: Backward Extension
Figure 1. Prosthetic Thrust-reaching out with the prosthetic limb and
knowing it will be there
Step Two, the runner reaches out with the prosthetic foot during swing.
Just prior to striking the ground, the prosthetic leg pulls back
forcefully creating a backward force. As a result, the ground will
produce a forward force accelerating the body forward. This movement
has two effects: First, it will accelerate the body forward causing an
increase in speed and, second, this movement will give you the power to
shift your body weight over the prosthesis and fully load your
prosthetic foot resulting in maximum prosthetic foot performance as you
load the forefoot.
Step 3: Sound Limb Stride
During Step Three, the focus now shifts to the sound limb. The runner
should concentrate on taking a longer stride with the sound limb. This
can be easily accomplished by continuing to pull down and back through
the prosthetic limb. Pulling back during the prosthetic foot's initial
contact with the ground initiates the movement pattern. The runner
should continue to extend the hip by pulling down and back into the
socket. This will generate more power and a stronger push off with the
prosthetic limb, which will, in turn, enable the sound limb to reach out
to complete a full stride.
Step 4: Stride Symmetry
Figure 2. Backward Extension- pushing back against the socket wall
exerting a forward force
Step Four is really a phase designed to decrease the enormous effort
that is being exerted and to simply relax and jog a little. Therefore,
the runner should choose a comfortable jogging pace that produces an
equal stride length for both limbs. There should not be any concern for
the arms, concentration should be focused on maintaining stability over
the prosthetic limb using the muscles of the hips to create equal and
relaxed strides.
Step 5: Arm Carriage
Finally, Step Five is focused on arm swing. The arms and legs move in
opposition to each other, so, as the right leg moves forward, so will
the left arm. The elbows should flex to about 90 degrees and the hands
should be loosely closed and rise to just below chin level when brought
forward. Just as in walking, arm swing is really the result of trunk
rotation, as the trunk and pelvis rotate in opposition to each other for
balance, momentum and economy of effort.
Putting It All Together
Figure 3. Sound Limb Stride-reaching out with sound limb for an equal
stride length
Finally, the runner should be ready to put all the individual elements
of running together. The runner should relax and think about only a
couple of elements of running with each pass. Many long distance runners
augment their endurance training program by utilizing low impact
activities such as swimming, stationary biking or stair climbing
machines. In time, the runner will develop his/her own comfortable
running style, depending on the sports or recreational activities chosen
for participation.
Learning to run can take place on just about any type of prosthesis, and
initially the prosthetic foot is not critical. However, if the amputee
decides that running is going to be a part of his active lifestyle they
should discuss with their prosthetist the various available prosthetic
options. Classically, the Flex-Foot has been considered the foot of
choice for higher level activities, with the Flex-Sprint foot worn by
most competitive athletes. Currently, there is also a relatively new
design, the C-Sprint, which is engineered for recreational jogging and
longer distance training. The same principles of running apply
regardless of the prosthetic foot; however, prosthetic feet designed for
running can reduce the effort and improve performance.
Figure 4. Arm Carriage-moving the arms in opposition to the movement of
the legs
To learn more about these basic running techniques and many others, the
Functional Training and Running Series for Transfemoral and Transtibial
Amputees video and book series can assist clinicians and amputees alike.
Robert Gailey, PhD, PT, has specialized in the rehabilitation of
lower-extremity amputees for about 20 years. He has done extensive
research, writing, and lecturing. In addition to teaching at the
University of Miami, Florida, he also operates Advanced Re
Related Articles
Stability Within the Socket Creates Stable World
< <URL Redacted>> - September
2003
The Biomechanics of Amputee Running
< <URL Redacted>> - October
2002
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail communication and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information for the use of the designated recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, (or authorized to receive for the recipient) you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error and that any review, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of it or its contents is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments and contact the sender by reply e-mail or telephone (813) 281-0300.
Ed Skewes
Five Steps for the Introduction to Lower Limb Amputee Running
By Robert Gailey, PhD, PT
Learning how to run with a prosthesis can be very challenging, yet, when
simplified into series of relatively basic elements, it can be much
easier to learn. The following are the five easy steps that have made
it possible for me to teach hundreds of people to relearn the skill of
running, and enabled them to benefit from the ability to move fast when
necessary. Initially, for safety reasons, I strongly suggested that
skilled clinicians work with their clients and use a gait belt.
Step 1: Prosthetic Trust
Step One requires gaining trust in the prosthesis, or instilling the
confidence of knowing that the prosthetic limb is going to be there and
not collapse when the amputee's prosthetic limb strikes the ground.
This is accomplished by reaching out with the prosthetic limb and
landing squarely on the foot. The runner should ignore everything else
and know that the prosthetic limb will be there.
Step 2: Backward Extension
Figure 1. Prosthetic Thrust-reaching out with the prosthetic limb and
knowing it will be there
Step Two, the runner reaches out with the prosthetic foot during swing.
Just prior to striking the ground, the prosthetic leg pulls back
forcefully creating a backward force. As a result, the ground will
produce a forward force accelerating the body forward. This movement
has two effects: First, it will accelerate the body forward causing an
increase in speed and, second, this movement will give you the power to
shift your body weight over the prosthesis and fully load your
prosthetic foot resulting in maximum prosthetic foot performance as you
load the forefoot.
Step 3: Sound Limb Stride
During Step Three, the focus now shifts to the sound limb. The runner
should concentrate on taking a longer stride with the sound limb. This
can be easily accomplished by continuing to pull down and back through
the prosthetic limb. Pulling back during the prosthetic foot's initial
contact with the ground initiates the movement pattern. The runner
should continue to extend the hip by pulling down and back into the
socket. This will generate more power and a stronger push off with the
prosthetic limb, which will, in turn, enable the sound limb to reach out
to complete a full stride.
Step 4: Stride Symmetry
Figure 2. Backward Extension- pushing back against the socket wall
exerting a forward force
Step Four is really a phase designed to decrease the enormous effort
that is being exerted and to simply relax and jog a little. Therefore,
the runner should choose a comfortable jogging pace that produces an
equal stride length for both limbs. There should not be any concern for
the arms, concentration should be focused on maintaining stability over
the prosthetic limb using the muscles of the hips to create equal and
relaxed strides.
Step 5: Arm Carriage
Finally, Step Five is focused on arm swing. The arms and legs move in
opposition to each other, so, as the right leg moves forward, so will
the left arm. The elbows should flex to about 90 degrees and the hands
should be loosely closed and rise to just below chin level when brought
forward. Just as in walking, arm swing is really the result of trunk
rotation, as the trunk and pelvis rotate in opposition to each other for
balance, momentum and economy of effort.
Putting It All Together
Figure 3. Sound Limb Stride-reaching out with sound limb for an equal
stride length
Finally, the runner should be ready to put all the individual elements
of running together. The runner should relax and think about only a
couple of elements of running with each pass. Many long distance runners
augment their endurance training program by utilizing low impact
activities such as swimming, stationary biking or stair climbing
machines. In time, the runner will develop his/her own comfortable
running style, depending on the sports or recreational activities chosen
for participation.
Learning to run can take place on just about any type of prosthesis, and
initially the prosthetic foot is not critical. However, if the amputee
decides that running is going to be a part of his active lifestyle they
should discuss with their prosthetist the various available prosthetic
options. Classically, the Flex-Foot has been considered the foot of
choice for higher level activities, with the Flex-Sprint foot worn by
most competitive athletes. Currently, there is also a relatively new
design, the C-Sprint, which is engineered for recreational jogging and
longer distance training. The same principles of running apply
regardless of the prosthetic foot; however, prosthetic feet designed for
running can reduce the effort and improve performance.
Figure 4. Arm Carriage-moving the arms in opposition to the movement of
the legs
To learn more about these basic running techniques and many others, the
Functional Training and Running Series for Transfemoral and Transtibial
Amputees video and book series can assist clinicians and amputees alike.
Robert Gailey, PhD, PT, has specialized in the rehabilitation of
lower-extremity amputees for about 20 years. He has done extensive
research, writing, and lecturing. In addition to teaching at the
University of Miami, Florida, he also operates Advanced Re
Related Articles
Stability Within the Socket Creates Stable World
< <URL Redacted>> - September
2003
The Biomechanics of Amputee Running
< <URL Redacted>> - October
2002
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail communication and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information for the use of the designated recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, (or authorized to receive for the recipient) you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error and that any review, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of it or its contents is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments and contact the sender by reply e-mail or telephone (813) 281-0300.
Citation
Skewes, Ed, “amputee running,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/225949.
