Body segment parameters of Paralympic athletes from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Issue 3 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laschowski, Brock; McPhee, John
• Is Part Of: Sports engineering. Volume 19:Issue 3(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Body segment parameters -- Biomechanical modeling -- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry -- Paralympics -- Wheelchair curling -- Spinal cord injury -- Lower extremity amputation; Sporting goods -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Sports -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Human mechanics -- Periodicals; Athletics -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; 688.76
• DOI: 10.1007/s12283-016-0200-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-7072

Abstract

Abstract This research represents the first documented investigation into the body segment parameters of Paralympic athletes (e.g., individuals with spinal cord injuries and lower extremity amputations). Two-dimensional body segment parameters (i.e., mass, length, position vector of the center of mass, and principal mass moment of inertia about the center of mass) were quantified from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In addition to establishing a body segment parameter database of Paralympic athletes for prospective biomechanists and engineers, the mass of each body segment as experimentally measured via the DXA imaging was compared with that reported by previous research of able-bodied cadavers. In general, there were significant differences in the body segment masses between the different methods. These findings support the implementation of the proposed database for developing valid multibody biomechanical models of Paralympic athletes with distinct physical disabilities.