The Fair Use of Lower-Limb Running Prostheses: A Delphi Study

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of lower-limb running prostheses and stakeholders’ perceptions of fairness in relation to their use in competitive disability sport. A Delphi study was conducted over three rounds to solicit expert opinion in a developing area of knowledge. High levels of consensus were obtained. The findings suggest that the prosthesis is defined as a piece of sporting equipment to restore athletes’ function to enable them to take part in disability sport. In addition, the panel determined that the development of this technology should be considered to be integral to the sport’s ethos. Crucially, prostheses technology should be monitored and have limits placed upon it to ensure fairness for both participants and stakeholders.

Motivations and barriers to prosthesis users participation in physical activity, exercise and sport

“…[19][20][21][22]25,27 Two articles do not describe the reason for limb absence. 23,24 Upon further scrutiny of the 12 papers, and as the authors expected, clear themes emerged. The authors agreed that four themes represented the article content and acknowledged that individual articles could be included in more than one group.…”

“…Nine of the articles have been published since 2000 19,[22][23][24][26][27][28] with three papers being published in 1978, 20 1980 25 and 1996. 21 All of the articles originate in developed world countries and all studies are survey designs.…”

“…Of these, 12 met all of the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Using the headings from the data extraction form, Table 2 provides an overview of the 12 included studies.…”

“…21 All of the articles originate in developed world countries and all studies are survey designs. Ten of the articles feature those with lower limb absence, [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]29 with two articles featuring those with upper limb absence. 28,30 Ten articles describe participants with mixed aetiologies (vascular, trauma, oncology and congenital).…”

The dynamic elastic response to impulse synchronisation of composite prosthetic energy storing and returning feet

“…(2011) 9 evaluated a sample of sport stakeholders concluding that isolated, equipment specific assessments were recommended instead.…”