Figure 2

Maximum sprinting speed mechanics. (a) Stance average vertical support force (left) and average support force asymmetry (right) for take-off and non-take-off legs of all subjects during maximum sprinting speed trials in units of bodyweight (BW). Values are provided as the average over all trials for the respective leg. Negative asymmetry values indicate greater force applied by the non-take-off leg. (b) Representative vertical ground reaction force patterns of the fastest athlete with a below the knee amputation (BKA) and the fastest non-amputee athlete, compared to the pattern of an ideal spring-mass model calculated using the equations provided by Clark et al.¹⁹. The fastest athletes were also the athletes who achieved the longest distances during the long jump trials. For the spring-mass model, step, contact and aerial times from measurements of the same trial of the affected leg of the fastest athlete with BKA were used.