Biomechanics performance tests number 3
It was great to see Simon back in the biomechanics lab at the University of Limerick fit and healthy and raring to go. PhD student Laura-Anne Furlong and myself put Simon through his paces with balances tests, running and walking gait analysis and drop jump strength tests.
First up, the balance tests. This is an indication of core strength, flexibility and muscular support around the hips and feet that Simon has been working on tirelessly with Jason Kenny. Today not only did Simon improve balance performance by 11.1% on his good left leg, he showed an amazing 23.7% improvement on the right prosthetic leg. This should mean a smoother running action and ability to cope better with the odd bump the Dublin marathon road surface throws up.
Next was gait analysis and Simon is showing more propulsion with each step indicated by higher underfoot vertical forces. Given the additional spring the right prosthetic blade is providing, minus the momentum and body weight normally found in in the right lower leg, Simon and Jason have developed a smooth running style by increasing left leg strength and maintaining right leg strength. Overall the impulse (force x time) is equal and running is a lot smoother than it was in January! Step length has shortened a little but if it feels comfortable for Simon it is not a problem and some more flexibility work will add a couple of centimetres before October.
Drop jump explosive jump tests were really impressive. Compared to January Simon is now jumping higher, producing more force for the same amount of time on the ground. Simon’s Reactive Strength Index has increased 19% left leg and 15% right leg. What this means is that Simon can now expend less energy to gain the same amount of push for each running stride, running more efficiently.
Individually the values from these tests might not mean much to the runner, but add them all together and the % increase in performance shows all the training has been spot on.
One more set of tests planned for early September.
Dr.Ian Kenny
It was great to see Simon back in the biomechanics lab at the University of Limerick fit and healthy and raring to go. PhD student Laura-Anne Furlong and myself put Simon through his paces with balances tests, running and walking gait analysis and drop jump strength tests.
First up, the balance tests. This is an indication of core strength, flexibility and muscular support around the hips and feet that Simon has been working on tirelessly with Jason Kenny. Today not only did Simon improve balance performance by 11.1% on his good left leg, he showed an amazing 23.7% improvement on the right prosthetic leg. This should mean a smoother running action and ability to cope better with the odd bump the Dublin marathon road surface throws up.
Next was gait analysis and Simon is showing more propulsion with each step indicated by higher underfoot vertical forces. Given the additional spring the right prosthetic blade is providing, minus the momentum and body weight normally found in in the right lower leg, Simon and Jason have developed a smooth running style by increasing left leg strength and maintaining right leg strength. Overall the impulse (force x time) is equal and running is a lot smoother than it was in January! Step length has shortened a little but if it feels comfortable for Simon it is not a problem and some more flexibility work will add a couple of centimetres before October.
Drop jump explosive jump tests were really impressive. Compared to January Simon is now jumping higher, producing more force for the same amount of time on the ground. Simon’s Reactive Strength Index has increased 19% left leg and 15% right leg. What this means is that Simon can now expend less energy to gain the same amount of push for each running stride, running more efficiently.
Individually the values from these tests might not mean much to the runner, but add them all together and the % increase in performance shows all the training has been spot on.
One more set of tests planned for early September.
Dr.Ian Kenny
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