Evaluation of rebound characteristics for running-specific prostheses by an impact test

Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure rebound characteristics for running-specific prostheses by quantifying their dynamic behavior using an impact testing apparatus which was developed to produce a typical ground foot strike contact. Impact tests were conducted with different types and categories of blades to obtain the impact load and the deformation of blades. A motion of the impactor and blade was taken by two synchronized high-speed video cameras. The deformation of blade was obtained from the positional coordinate of the blade, by tracking markers attached on the surface using the digital image correlation method. The impact load was also calculated using the time history of the acceleration which was measured by an accelerometer affixed on the impactor. The energy absorption rate was defined to evaluate the rebound characteristics using the load and deformation histories. As a result, energy absorption is likely to represent the differences between kinds of blades. On the other hand, at this stage, it has limited applicability to the evaluation of difference between categories in the same blade.