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Knowledge of loads acting on running specific prostheses (RSP), and in particular on running prosthetic feet (RPF), is crucial for evaluating athletes’ technique, designing safe feet, and biomechanical modelling. The aim of this work was to develop a J-shaped and a C-shaped wearable instrumented running prosthetic foot (iRPF) starting from commercial RPF, suitable for load data collection on the track. The sensing elements are strain gauge bridges mounted on the foot in a configuration that allows decoupling loads parallel and normal to the socket-foot clamp during the stance phase. The system records data on lightweight athlete-worn loggers and transmits them via Wi-Fi to a base station for real-time monitoring. iRPF calibration procedure and static and dynamic validation of predicted ground-reaction forces against those measured by a force platform embedded in the track are reported. The potential application of this wearable system in estimating determinants of sprint performance is presented.

Stiffness properties of running specific prostheses (RSP) for Paralympic runners are fundamental in the selection of the optimal running prosthetic foot (RPF) for sprint and jump events, depending on the athlete’s anthropometry and characteristics. RPFs are J-shaped or C-shaped, clamped to the socket or the pylon of the prosthetic leg. The aim of this work was to develop a test bench suitable for the static and dynamic characterization of a running prosthetic feet (RPF). Based on the evidence that the ground reaction force components change their relative orientation to the pylon or socket during the stance, loads were resolved in the socket reference frame and a multi-component test bench was designed and constructed. Two perpendicular actuators can apply static and dynamic loads to the foot while contacting a surrogate ground inclined at different angles. The preliminary tests show how the alignment, load combination, and ground angle can affect RPF stiffness curves.

The knowledge of loads acting on Running Specific Prostheses (RSP), and in particular, on Running Prosthetic Feet (RPF) is crucial for evaluating the athlete’s running technique, designing RPF, and developing models of the runners. The aim of this work was to develop a set of instrumented RPF (iRPF) suitable for track data collection of start, sprinting, and whole run-in and take-off of long jump. The system allows measuring with a portable data logger forces acting on the foot clamp on multiple steps of the athlete without modifying the RSP behavior: The method involves strain gauge bridges applied to each RPF in a configuration that allows decoupling the loads parallel and normal to the foot clamp during the stance phase. Comparison with literature data and validation against force platform data gave confirmation of the validity of the method in the estimation of determinants of sprint performance.