1. Amputee Sprinting: What Muscles Should be Targeted?
Author: Peter Farlow
Supervisor: Dr. Lauren Kark Co-Supervisor: Stacey Rigney
Research Theme: Resources and Infrastructure for the Future
Background and MotivationAims and Objectives
Results
• Multi-link segment (MLS) model of below-knee (transtibial) amputee prosthesis has been developed, which models the
prosthesis as a combination of rigid segments connected by torsional springs and dampers, as opposed to the conventional two-
link segment.
• Provides more accurate simulations of amputee sprinting
• Can be used to simulate the effects of changing muscle parameters (muscle force output, cross-sectional area, etc.) on sprint
performance and thus improve training regimes
• Develop MLS model to produce more
accurate simulations of transtibial amputee
sprinting
• Identify the most vitally important muscles for
transtibial amputee sprinters using MLS
model in OpenSim, and thus identify which
muscles should be targeted in training
Muscles to Target (affected side)
• Hip extensor muscle group
• Hip abductor and adductor muscles
• Knee flexors
• Muscles of the core as a whole (obliques, erector spinae)
• Hip extensor, adductor and abductor
muscles on affected side should be
primarily targeted in training (some
focus on knee flexors and core
muscles)
Method
References
Figure 1: Simulation in OpenSim
software using MLS model
Figure 2: Ottobock blade mechanical model (left), and the mathematical MLS model1 (right) using torsional springs and dampers
Figure 3: Experimental process using OpenSim
Figure 5:Sagittal (left) and frontal (right) view of all muscles in affected leg Figure 6: Sagittal (left) and frontal (right) view of vitally important muscles for sprinting
in affected leg
Figure 4: Motion capture setup2
Motion capture
of amputee
sprinter
Calculate joint
angles
(Inverse
kinematics)
Calculate
muscle forces
(Computed
muscle control)
Simulate sprint
motion
(Forward
dynamics)
Determine
sprint speed
Change muscle
force parameters
1. Rigney, S, Simmons, A & Kark, L 2015, ‘LOWER-LIMB KINEMATICS AND KINETICS DURING
AMPUTEE RUNNING: A NEW APPROACH’’, XXV Congress of the International Society of
Biomechanics, Glasgow 2015, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Mechanical
and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, pp. 1259
2. Klute, G (2016). Disturbance Response in Lower Limb Amputee Gait - CoE for Limb Loss
Prevention and Prosthetic Engineering. [online] Available at:
http://www.amputation.research.va.gov/prosthetic_engineering/Disturbance_Response_in_Lower_
Limb_Amputee_Gait.asp [Accessed 10 Feb. 2016].
Conclusion
• Unaffected side is yet to be analysed and
should be in future
• Can then proceed to analyse the extent to
which muscles should be targeted (find
muscle forces for optimal sprint speeds)
Plans for the Future