Does Prosthetic legs put athletes at more of an advantage?

Hello Zu!
I was wondering what do you all think of the matter?
Do prosthetic leg's put athletes at an advantage or disadvantage in sports with regular functioning athletes?
I'd really like to know I've done some research (I think it puts them at a disadvantageI'm curious to see what the public thinks.

EDIT: Sorry I should have made the title, "Do prosthetic legs put athletes at more of an advantage?"
Ok I took out the stuff related to school. The main point of this thread anyways it to see what everyone's view on the matter is!

I really have no idea about the subject. My uneducated guess is that it would put them at a disadvantage, I mean what's better than the real thing. You can't train plastic legs, or make them grow stronger with bigger muscles, so, wouldn't it make more sense to think of it as a disadvantage?

Depends.

I'm almost positive that current designs are a disadvantage, they just aren't as easy to control.

However, in the not-so-distant future I could easily see that changing so that prosthetics are very superior.


Which raises the question: Should artificial limbs be allowed in sporting events?

I remember one athlete being disqualified from racing against regular competitors because of a concieved advantage.

I'm sure this belongs in the Temple of Knowlegde, as it is related to school and, more importantly, a project.

I'd highly recommend to use various links through the internet. Yet I wouldn't highly recommend Wikipedia, because it isn't completely secure in the aspect of reliability.

Now, getting to my personal opinion. I personally believe prosthetic legs actually put you in a disadvantage, simply because you lack a decent control of your own body. Yet I realize your legs, in fact, won't hurt or get itchy and what-not, I still remain at my point.

Well, check your sources, sonny

I think amp was thinking more along the lines that a fake leg can't grow tired, it will never cramp up, in that case I believe there might be a slight advantage. However, as stated above it can never truely replace a real leg, it can't get stronger with training(though I don't know if modifications are pooisble).

Prosthetic legs put athletes into a disadvantage. I watched a few runners participate with prosthetic legs, and what I've always noticed is that they run improperly, which seems very uncomfortable to them (it would be for me if I had to run like that). With that sort of problem, running wouldn't be that easy.

The I.A.A.F. has been in deep debate over this. "With all due respect, we cannot accept something that provides advantages. It affects the purity of the sport. Next will be another device where people can fly with something on their back."

Oscar Pistorius, 20, lost his legs when he was a infant. Now he runs with a pair of carbon-fiber "Cheetahs". Should he be allowed to race? He is going under extensive study to see if he is fairly racing. The problem with these is it might make him taller, and put more stride in his run. Not to mention the training is much different from a regular runner's, with them not only having to condition their cardiovascular parts of their body, but their feet and legs as well. Oscar does not have to endure condition his feet. Though he has to work to build up speed, these cheetahs essentially make him a 'cyborg'. In England he almost beat Angelo Taylor, a olympic medalist, by a second.

Now, for the safety of the other racers, this legs or 'cheetahs' could cause problems. What if he trips? This carbon-fiber legs can seriously damage, not only himself, but other athletes.

I don't mean to be discrimative, but in such an activity as the olympics, I believe everything should be natural.

So in my opinion, yes, they might give them an advantage and therefore he should not be allowed to race in such an activity as the olympics.

Originally Posted by squall24

I think amp was thinking more along the lines that a fake leg can't grow tired, it will never cramp up, in that case I believe there might be a slight advantage. However, as stated above it can never truely replace a real leg, it can't get stronger with training(though I don't know if modifications are pooisble).

True, but if you have one leg that's tired, and the other not tired, it's not going to make a huge difference I would think unless both legs are false.

Originally Posted by GDwarf

Depends.

I'm almost positive that current designs are a disadvantage, they just aren't as easy to control.

However, in the not-so-distant future I could easily see that changing so that prosthetics are very superior.


Which raises the question: Should artificial limbs be allowed in sporting events?

If they are in fact proved to be surperior, then no.

But then, isn't that why they have the special olympics ? Or is that just for the mentally handicapped ?

Originally Posted by Adventurer

True, but if you have one leg that's tired, and the other not tired, it's not going to make a huge difference I would think unless both legs are false.

Having one real and one fake can actually lead to more dangerous possibilities. The unstability between not having your body perfectly symetrical can lead to balance being weakened.

And about the cramp thing, if your an athlete, I'm pretty sure you know how to stretch and eat, so cramping up shouldn't be a problem.

Originally Posted by Mr. Evangelion

I'm sure this belongs in the Temple of Knowlegde, as it is related to school and, more importantly, a project.

*Moved*

-BGS

Originally Posted by _FTW_

The I.A.A.F. has been in deep debate over this. "With all due respect, we cannot accept something that provides advantages. It affects the purity of the sport. Next will be another device where people can fly with something on their back."

Oscar Pistorius, 20, lost his legs when he was a infant. Now he runs with a pair of carbon-fiber "Cheetahs". Should he be allowed to race? He is going under extensive study to see if he is fairly racing. The problem with these is it might make him taller, and put more stride in his run. Not to mention the training is much different from a regular runner's, with them not only having to condition their cardiovascular parts of their body, but their feet and legs as well. Oscar does not have to endure condition his feet. Though he has to work to build up speed, these cheetahs essentially make him a 'cyborg'. In England he almost beat Angelo Taylor, a olympic medalist, by a second.

Now, for the safety of the other racers, this legs or 'cheetahs' could cause problems. What if he trips? This carbon-fiber legs can seriously damage, not only himself, but other athletes.

I don't mean to be discrimative, but in such an activity as the olympics, I believe everything should be natural.

So in my opinion, yes, they might give them an advantage and therefore he should not be allowed to race in such an activity as the olympics.

Yeah Oscar Pistorius.
I read an article on him, that's kinda what sparked my idea, but this isn't really too related to school. I prob should have taken that out of there.
The main reason for this is to see what everyone's opinon on the matter is.
I guess I should edit my post to say that, and take out the school part, haha.

Originally Posted by AMP1317

Yeah Oscar Pistorius.
I read an article on him, that's kinda what sparked my idea, but this isn't really too related to school. I prob should have taken that out of there.
The main reason for this is to see what everyone's opinon on the matter is.
I guess I should edit my post to say that, and take out the school part, haha.

I agree, this should be moved back to I:SB. It's one of the more original topics I've seen in awhile. And it is a good topic.

Originally Posted by _FTW_

The I.A.A.F. has been in deep debate over this. "With all due respect, we cannot accept something that provides advantages. It affects the purity of the sport. Next will be another device where people can fly with something on their back."

Oscar Pistorius, 20, lost his legs when he was a infant. Now he runs with a pair of carbon-fiber "Cheetahs". Should he be allowed to race? He is going under extensive study to see if he is fairly racing. The problem with these is it might make him taller, and put more stride in his run. Not to mention the training is much different from a regular runner's, with them not only having to condition their cardiovascular parts of their body, but their feet and legs as well. Oscar does not have to endure condition his feet. Though he has to work to build up speed, these cheetahs essentially make him a 'cyborg'. In England he almost beat Angelo Taylor, a olympic medalist, by a second.

Now, for the safety of the other racers, this legs or 'cheetahs' could cause problems. What if he trips? This carbon-fiber legs can seriously damage, not only himself, but other athletes.

I don't mean to be discrimative, but in such an activity as the olympics, I believe everything should be natural.

So in my opinion, yes, they might give them an advantage and therefore he should not be allowed to race in such an activity as the olympics.

Yeah Oscar Pistorius.
I read an article on him, that's kinda what sparked my idea, but this isn't really too related to school. I prob should have taken that out of there.
The main reason for this is to see what everyone's opinon on the matter is.
I guess I should edit my post to say that, and take out the school part, haha.

But back to the debate,
Supposedly the prosthetic leg supposed put's your knee at a disadvantage.
The accelerator muscles (usually in your hamstrings) are the ones you use for sprinting (Oscar Pistorius) he has his hamstrings, but his quads (usually used for hills and distance related things) he doesn't have.
So technically he's running on his knees, but with support. While runner's have the full muscle set which gives them the advantage right?

YES it does as people with prosthetic legs use less energy that those with real legs