Pistorius - a considerable advantage?

[Guest guest]

Ken Jakalski kindly sent me the below article:

The scientific team was asked to evaluate the IAAF's initial claim

that the Cheetah Flex-Foot prostheses (J-shaped, high-performance

prostheses used for running) worn by Pistorius give him an advantage

over able-bodied runners. The team concluded that the scientific

evidence put forth by the IAAF investigation to ban Pistorius was

fundamentally flawed. " While an athlete's performance in sprints of

very short duration is determined almost entirely by mechanical

factors, in races of longer duration, such as the 400m, performance

depends on both mechanical and metabolic factors, " said Herr, a

bilateral amputee who heads the MIT Media Lab's Biomechatronics

research group.

Based on this performance link, the scientists refuted the IAAF

findings on two major points: the speed-duration relationship and

rates of metabolic energy expenditure.

Specifically, the scientists concluded that:

.. Pistorius' ability to maintain speed over the course of longer

sprints--his speed-duration relationship--is essentially identical to

that of able-bodied runners, indicating that he fatigues in the same

manner as able-bodied sprinters.

. Pistorius' rates of metabolic energy expenditure do not differ

from elite non-amputee runners. In particular, he has nearly the same

running economy, or rate of oxygen consumption at submaximal speeds,

and a similar maximal rate of oxygen consumption as elite non-amputee

runners.

Casler writes:

While I am not informed enough to have an opinion on the " equality " over all

competitors, I might wonder or question the assertion of " metabolic "

advantage.

I, for over 20 years have used " stair climbing " as a great Cardio

Stimulating activity, and regularly do so.

During this period I have explored many climbing and descending experiments

to compete with myself and become faster.

It didn't take too long for me to find that climbing on my " toes " caused a

greater blood flow to my calves. This then when viewed logically suggested

several things:

1) The blood flow to the calves was significant.

2) The distance the blood was pumped was far greater from the heart, and

surely offered greater stress

3) The circulatory efficiency of supplying blood both TO and FROM the calves

was a greater stress due to the " Cul de Sac " system.

In light of this, I adjusted my form to step deep into the step itself and

land on the heel, reducing calf involvement. This then reduced blood

requirement for the area. Additionally I pushed off with the heel, causing

even greater hip and ham involvement.

The proximity of the glutes and hams to the heart to both supply and return

blood was far less stressful and my times steadily improved.

Now while this certainly doesn't suggest that metabolic requirements are

small, it does offer an interesting question as to if the shorter and more

direct blood flow can offer metabolic advantage.

While I might suggest it " does " , I might also say that I can see no viable

method of establishing the scope of the advantage, considering the

disadvantages contained in the disability itself.

However, it is interesting none the less.

I think this will be one " large story " of the upcoming OLYMPICS. Good or

Bad, the Press will love this.

Regards,

Casler

TRI-VECTOR 3-D Force Systems

Century City, CA