Physical Performance Comparison Between Able-Bodied Rugby Players and an Athlete with a Transtibial Prosthesis Using a Protective Sleeve
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Jaden Law
Presenter(s): Jaden Law
Mentors(s): Scott Burley
Athletes with lower-limb prostheses face unique hurdles when trying to participate in rugby and other contact sports due to strict equipment regulations and player safety concerns. Under existing World Rugby regulations, athletes with prosthetic limbs are prohibited from participating in sanctioned rugby competitions. Consequently, there is insufficient research evaluating the safety of protective prosthetic sleeves to facilitate participation in able-bodied contact rugby for these athletes. This single-case comparative study seeks to determine if a transtibial prosthesis equipped with a protective sleeve facilitates safe and functional engagement in rugby while sustaining comparable physical performance to that of able-bodied athletes. Thirty biologically male high school rugby players, aged 14 to 19, will be tested using a standardized physical testing program to evaluate performance metrics pertinent to rugby. This population includes one athlete with a transtibial prosthesis. Data will be collected in the Colorado State University Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory. Afterward, the Crawford-Howell method will then be used to analyze the data and determine whether the prosthetic athlete is a statistical outlier compared to able-bodied athletes. We propose that the protective sleeve will mitigate impact risks and enable the prosthetic athlete to compete within the standard range of able-bodied counterparts without providing a discernible advantage. The findings from this study will provide preliminary performance data for rugby athletes with a transtibial prosthesis and may contribute to evidence-based discourse on prosthetic equipment regulations. This research has important implications for athlete safety and the mainstream inclusion of athletes with limb deficiencies in contact sports.