Content area
Full Text
Introduction
Equipment such as prostheses and wheelchairs is fundamental in allowing some people with disabilities to carry out the tasks of daily living. 1 2 Advances in technology underpin such assistive devices-for example, the development of the energy-storing prosthetic foot, can make a lowerlimb amputee's gait more efficient and ambulation faster. 3 4 When this revolutionary prosthetic technology was speci?cally applied to sprinters, studies showed that running velocity was significantly increased. 5 6 However, the application of this technology has been controversial, as clearly demonstrated by the much-publicised Oscar Pistorius or 'Blade Runner' debate before the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. 7 - 11 The skill of the athlete, coupled with this new prosthetic technology, enabled Oscar to potentially qualify in the men's 400 m sprint in both the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the best interest of the athlete, and to avoid potential legal problems and unwarranted issues for the next Olympic Games in London 2012, the role of technology needs to be clarified.
What is already known about this topic
Prosthetic and wheelchair technology are fundamental for some people with disabilities to carry out activities of daily living.
Paralympians have found that standard prosthetic and wheelchair devices can be unsafe and inhibit their sporting performance.
Technological advances in sport can be controversial.
What this study adds
The current technological developments within the Paralympic Games are described and the role of technology defined.
Technology is essential for the Paralympian in their activities of daily living through to when they compete on the international stage.
In the best interest of the athlete and to avoid potential issues for the London 2012 Games, the role of technology needs to be openly debated and clarified.
Under rule 144.2, the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) forbids 'the use of any technical device incorporating springs ...that provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device.' 12 This raises the question: Does the technology create an unfair advantage for the Paralympian when competing against able-bodied Olympic athletes? When we debate whether certain sports technologies provide an advantage over another athlete, the issue becomes clouded, as we must also consider equitable access to the technology. Consider, for example, that the Olympic marathon was won...