Normative ground reaction force data for able - bodied and trans - tibia 1 amputee children during running

The purpose of this investigation was to develop normative ground reaction force data for able-bodied (AB) and trans-tibia1 amputee (TTA) children during running. Two hundred AB (mean age 9.4 years, range 7-12) and 21 TTA (mean age 11.1 years, range 5-17) children ran (2.2 m/sklO%) over a force platform. Ground reaction force data were normalized, averaged within groups and plotted to produce force-time curves characterizing the different leg types (i.e. able-bodied, nonprosthetic and prosthetic). In addition, discrete variables characterizing the leg type differences were determined. One way ANOVA determined significant differences between variables and a TukeyB Post Hoc analysis defined which variables were significantly different (p<0.05). Results generally indicated differences between the three leg types with the non-prosthetic leg indicating greater forces than the prosthetic and AB legs. The results of this investigation provide normative ground reaction force data for both AB and TTA children during running and can be used for comparison with other groups of children. Introduction In order to assess the benefit, detriment, or irrelevance of a particular change in a prosthesis (e.g. new socket design or new terminal device) it is often desirable to compare measured variables with established norms. If All correspondence to be addressed to Dr. J. R. Engsberg, Human Performance Laboratory, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4. normative data do not exist then the effects of the particular change are more difficult to judge. In the case of a trans-tibia1 amputee (TTA) child, two sets of normative data appear desirable: data from able-bodied (AB) children and data from other TTA children. In both cases comparisons can be made to determine how closely the TTA child matches the respective groups. While nonnative data for both AB and ‘lTA children exist for walking (Engsberg et al., 1993; Sutherland et al., 1988), none exist for running. The purpose of this investigation was to develop normative ground reaction force data for AB and TTA children during running. Methods Two hundred AB (mean age 9.4 years, range 7-12) and 21 TTA (mean age 11.1 years, range 5-17) children volunteered to participate in this investigation. The characteristics describing the AB and TTA children are presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. All children were given a Table 1. AB subject characteristics.