Paralympians are already redefining the limits of human potential.
Take Scott Reardon, the fastest one-legged man in the world, who can sprint 100 meters in just 12.14 seconds—only two seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s world record.
But what if we could make athletes like Reardon even faster?
Stacey Rigney, a PhD student at UNSW Engineering, is on a mission to do just that.
By studying how prosthetic limbs affect an athlete’s gait and performance, Rigney is unlocking new ways to optimize these devices for speed, efficiency, and symmetry.
Here’s the kicker: while most prosthetic research has focused on making limbs stronger and lighter, Rigney is pioneering a new approach.
She’s developing a mathematical model to understand how prosthetics deform and return energy during movement.
This could revolutionize how we design and fit prosthetics for elite athletes—and perhaps even close the gap between Paralympians and their able-bodied counterparts.
Are Stronger and Lighter Prosthetics Enough?
For decades, the focus of prosthetic innovation has been on creating limbs that are stronger, lighter, and more durable.
While these advancements have undoubtedly improved performance, they’ve largely ignored a critical factor: how prosthetics interact with an athlete’s gait.
This oversight has left a gap in our understanding of how to truly optimize these devices for speed and efficiency.
“Rather than trying to design a new prosthesis, I’m trying to model its behaviour,” Rigney explains. “We don’t know a lot about how they behave.
I’m trying to develop a mathematical behavioural model for the prosthesis when it deforms and returns the energy back.”
This approach challenges the assumption that better materials and lighter designs are the ultimate solution.
By focusing on the biomechanics of movement, Rigney is uncovering insights that could lead to more personalized and effective prosthetics.
For example, adjusting the angle at which a prosthetic is connected to the limb could make an athlete’s gait more symmetrical—and potentially faster.
The Science Behind the Sprint
To understand how prosthetics affect gait, Rigney has developed a new method of movement analysis.
Traditional gait analysis involves placing reflective markers on a runner’s shins, knees, and ankles, then filming and analyzing their motion.
But this method doesn’t work for amputees, whose prosthetics behave more like springs than biological limbs.
Instead, Rigney uses elastic continuum mechanics—a branch of physics that studies how materials deform under stress—to model the forces acting on a prosthetic limb.
“We can run simulations and say, ‘If we change the angle that it’s connected to the limb to seven degrees instead of two degrees, will it make their gait more symmetrical? Will it make them faster?'” she says.
This innovative approach allows Rigney to test different configurations and predict their impact on performance—all without requiring athletes to undergo countless physical trials. It’s a game-changer for prosthetic design and fitting.
Collaborating with Champions
Rigney’s research isn’t just theoretical; it’s being put to the test with some of Australia’s top Paralympians.
Working with the Australian Institute of Sport and athletes like Scott Reardon, she’s gathering real-world data to refine her models.
This collaboration ensures that her findings are not only scientifically sound but also practically applicable.
The goal?
To make Paralympians faster than ever before—and perhaps even as fast as their able-bodied counterparts.
While this might sound like a lofty ambition, Rigney’s work is already showing promise. By optimizing the fit and behavior of prosthetics, she’s helping athletes unlock their full potential.
Beyond the Paralympics
While Rigney’s research is focused on elite athletes, its implications extend far beyond the track.
The insights gained from studying Paralympians could lead to better prosthetics for everyday users.
For example, a more symmetrical gait could reduce wear and tear on joints, improving long-term mobility and quality of life for amputees.
Moreover, Rigney’s work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
By combining engineering, biomechanics, and sports science, she’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
What’s Next for Prosthetic Innovation?
As Rigney continues her research, the possibilities are endless.
Could we one day see prosthetics that outperform biological limbs?
While that might still be a distant dream, Rigney’s work is bringing us closer than ever before.
By understanding the complex interplay between prosthetics and human movement, she’s paving the way for a future where limitations are redefined—and where athletes like Scott Reardon can continue to inspire us all.
Sources:
UNSW Engineering: How Engineering Is Helping Paralympians Go Faster
