Leg Prosthesis Race
Leg prostheses which mimic and enable the natural function of the human legs bear the potential to optimally support their users. Leg prostheses that can be controlled intuitively and allow for symmetric gait led to better device acceptance by increasing the satisfaction of their users.
More on Leg Prosthesis RaceLeg Prosthesis Race Tasks
1. Balance Beam
The ability to maintain dynamic body balance is critical in many situations in daily life, e.g., when climbing on a step or when walking on a very narrow path.
In this task, the pilots must individually pick up and carry two buckets to a target area while walking across narrow wooden beams.
2. Stairs
Stairs and steps are very common in daily life. To ascend or descend stairs, users of transfemoral prostheses must usually apply specific strategies and adapt their gait pattern. The resulting movements are often non-physiological and asymmetric, can be exhausting, and may lead to secondary discomfort (e.g., back pain) in the long run. Handrails are commonly used as an auxiliary means. However, they are often absent, not reachable or can’t be used when the hands are occupied.
In this task, pilots must ascend and descend a flight of stairs multiple times while carrying objects.
3. Step over
Items that are randomly lying around or fell on the floor (e.g., a child’s toys) can obstruct a path and sometimes require the ability to lift the feet and accurately control the placement of the feet to avoid the items. One might want to pick up the objects to either use them or stow them away.
In this task, the pilots must stride through a group of wooden crates while carrying objects in their hands.
4. Slopes
Walking on surfaces that are tilted perpendicular to the walking direction is challenging when using a leg prosthesis because sufficient toe clearance must be guaranteed. Otherwise, the user may stumble and risk a fall.
In this task, pilots must carry a series of objects from one side of a slope to the other.
5. Bench & Table
Often in daily life, the angle of the knee must be controlled to make sure not to touch the environment with the leg, for example when getting into or out of a car, or when taking a seat between other people.
In this task, the pilot must take a seat on a bench that is placed very close to a table, similar to a picnic table.
6. Wobbly Steps
When walking outdoors, e.g., on a nature path the ground sometimes behaves in unexpected ways and the walking behaviour must be adapted to the ground immediately to keep balance.
In this task, the pilots are challenged to walk over a series of wobbly stones.
7. Boxes
Crossing large steps or gaps is challenging since it requires adaptable step length and balance, especially after large steps. Walking on surfaces that dictate irregular steps can be required when walking in nature or cities. For example, stepping into public transport requires various step height and length, depending on the vehicle and platform.
In this task, the pilot must negotiate a quasi-random sequence of wooden boxes that vary in height and length.
8. Ladder
Climbing and descending ladders with a trans-femoral leg prosthesis is arduous and requires a lot of attention from the user.
In this task, pilots must climb up and down a stepladder by placing their feet only in predefined locations while balancing an apple on a plate.
9. Cross Country
In certain situations, it is required to accurately control the positioning of the foot, e.g., when entering an escalator or stepping on stones on a cross-country path.
In this task, the pilots are challenged to walk over stones and place their feet only at predefined locations while keeping their balance and picking up and putting down items.