Compiling research on the technical qualities of prosthetics.

An independent study was carried out in Cologne, Germany at the start of this week on the performance of the prosthetics of Paralympic champion athlete Oscar Pistorius (RSA).

Following initial research carried out in July during a 400m race in Rome between Oscar Pistorius and able-boded athletes, the IAAF found that there was evidence to suggest that an athlete with prosthetics performed in a different way to an able bodied athlete, so agreed with Oscar on the need for the further testing in Cologne Sports University under the responsibility of Professor Peter Bruggemann. 

Oscar was tested on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 November with six other able-bodied athletes who have similar 400m personal bests to Oscar. This is because the point of the testing is to see how Oscar compares to able-bodied athletes and establish whether Oscar’s prosthetics are “technical aids” which give him excessive advantage over other athletes who don’t use them. IAAF Rules forbid the use of such technical aids in competition.

The testing was witnessed by IAAF representatives (Elio Locatelli, Imre Matharazi and Frederic Sanchez) and Pistorius representatives (Peet Van Zyl and Knut Lechler). None of the witnesses had any influence over the testing itself.

The specific tests were:

• Running 400m on an outdoor track with maximum effort and VO2 test with K4 mask. Blood lactate was then measured – 4 times in first 10 minutes, after 30 minutes, 1 hour and 4 hours.
• Body scanning to take anthropometric data
• Running sub-max speed in the indoor lab. Data recorded by 12 cameras, 4 force plates and 4 high-speed cameras. Oscar ran 5 repetitions of about 80 metres.
• WINGATE test on static bicycle to measure lactate
• Max VO2 test also done on static bike
• Mechanical testing was also made of both foot modules – swing frequency, pendulum frequency with foot module hanging and attached at the upper connection point.

For the IAAF, this research has been carried out specifically because there is an issue of competition eligibility according to our rules. The IAAF has agreed to fund this scientific research specifically to understand whether, or not, athletes who compete with prosthetics are contravening IAAF competition rules (specifically 144.2, see note below)

It is expected that Professor Bruggemann will be able to complete a report of this project research by the middle of December, at which point it will be possible for the IAAF to make a judgement about eligibility that is based on facts.

IAAF
Note. IAAF Rule 144.2

Relates to the use of" technical aids" during competition

This rule prohibits:
(e) Use of any technical device that incorporates springs, wheels or any other element that provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device.
(f) Use of any appliance that has the effect of increasing the dimension of a piece of equipment beyond the permitted maximum in the Rules or that provides the user with an advantage which he would not have obtained using the equipment specified in the Rules.

It is important to underline that the IAAF does not have, nor contemplate, a ban on prosthetic limbs, but rather technical aids.

The aim of the rule change is not an attempt to prevent disabled athletes from using any artificial limbs or competing against able-bodied athletes if they are good enough to do so. For this reason, the IAAF is now compiling research on the technical qualities of prosthetics.

Source: IAAF