NORMATIVE GROUND REACTION FORCE DATA FOR ABLE-BODIED AND TRANS-TIBIALAMPUTEE CHILDREN DURING RUNNING

The purpose of this investigation was to develop normative ground reac tion force data for able-bodied (AB) and trans-tibial amputee (TTA) ch ildren during running. Two hundred AB (mean age 9.4 years, range 7-12) and 21 TTA (mean age 11.1 years, range 5-17) children ran (2.2 m/s+/- 10%) over a force platform. Ground reaction force data were normalized , averaged within groups and plotted to produce force-time curves char acterizing the different leg types (i.e. able-bodied, non-prosthetic a nd prosthetic). In addition, discrete variables characterizing the leg type differences were determined. One way ANOVA determined significan t differences between variables and a TukeyB Post Hoc analysis defined which variables were significantly different (p<0.05). Results genera lly indicated differences between the three leg types with the non-pro sthetic leg indicating greater forces than the prosthetic and AB legs. The results of this investigation provide normative ground reaction f orce data for both AB and TTA children during running and can be used for comparison with other groups of children.