Maximizing Physical Activity in Athletes With Amputations

Abstract

Medical care of athletes with disabilities parallels medical care for nondisabled athletes. Limb deficiencies, whether congenital, traumatic, or secondary to disease, confer certain challenges to sports participation. Although sports medicine research for people with disabilities lags behind sports medicine research for the nondisabled, there are nonetheless important points to be learned from the available body of published literature in this area. This article reviews the pertinent research literature and supplements it with clinical wisdom that may assist physicians, coaches, prosthetists, and trainers to help keep athletes with limb deficiencies active. The relevant epidemiologic, biomechanical, medical, and psychological issues are discussed.

Metabolic analysis of male servicemembers with transtibial amputations carrying military loads

“…Additionally, in the earlier study, the selfselected pace of those with TTAs was 11 percent slower than the pace selected by uninjured subjects (1.12 m/s and 1.25 m/s, respectively). Self-selected pace has been reported to be the most efficient speed for people with lower-limb amputations [28][29]. The individuals with TTAs in the earlier study demonstrated a much higher metabolic demand than the servicemembers with TTAs in the current study, despite the fact that the current study entailed a faster speed and the additional stress of load carriage.…”

“…The high levels of metabolic efficiency displayed by the individuals in the current study who had TTAs compared with reports in the literature on individuals with amputations [8,[27][28][29] may be attributable to differences in the populations under study. Much of the literature reports on individuals who are older, nonmilitary, or whose amputations may be associated with impaired health [8][9]22,27,29].…”

An evaluation of social media images portrayal of disability discourse: #amputeefitness

“…From a physical standpoint, individuals with congenital amputations and individuals with acquired amputations may be indistinguishable from one another. However, from a psychological standpoint, they often differ significantly (Pepper & Willick, 2009). Individuals with congenital amputations typically have the body image and selfidentity of an individual without a disability, whereas individuals who have an acquired amputation experience greater shock, anxiety, depression, and anger, after limb loss occurs (Pepper & Willick, 2009).…”

“…However, from a psychological standpoint, they often differ significantly (Pepper & Willick, 2009). Individuals with congenital amputations typically have the body image and selfidentity of an individual without a disability, whereas individuals who have an acquired amputation experience greater shock, anxiety, depression, and anger, after limb loss occurs (Pepper & Willick, 2009). Thus, an individual who experiences an acquired amputation may face greater challenges in adapting and renegotiating their identity in several life domains including physical appearance, functional limitations, body image, quality of life, and social support (Senra, Oliveira, Leal, & Vieira, 2012).…”

The Carter Cuff: A Preliminary Assessment of Its Effectiveness in Enhancing Upper Body Strength in People with Unilateral Amputation and Other Disabilities

“…Physical activity is seen as a crucial component of the rehabilitation process for people with disabilities [1] [2]. However, for people with upper extremity disabilities who find it difficult or impossible to use their hands, a reduction in the participation of resistance training exercise training and other forms of exercise is often observed [12].…”