Adaptive Technology

 Kyle Jones

Adaptive Technology in Sports

     Technology continues to advance in all fields, whether it's software development, mechanical engineering, renewable energy, or prosthetics, and health technology. With this athletes are gaining access to new, and improving technology, to overall improve their performance. Recently athletes have gained access to all sorts of technology dedicated to improving their performance, and recovery. These technologies can be through tracking their performance, giving different types of therapy for recovery, or providing better support during strenuous activities. Another type of technology athletes might use is adaptive technology. For disabled athletes adaptive technology are things like prosthetics, such as running blades. Running blades are prosthetics for the lower limbs, designed to maximize the runner's capabilities. Running blades, unlike most prosthetics, do not try to mimic human bones, rather mimicking the action, and jobs of tendons, and muscles. The first running blade was made by Van Phillips who got the idea not aftering studying human runners, rather by observing kangaroos, cheetahs, while also looking at diving boards, and pole vaulters (Whitehead, 2018). Van Phillip’s creation has helped disabled athletes maximize their running, and competition. Recently the running blades have been the focal point for a serious debate regarding disabled and able-bodied competition.

Some people argue that adaptive technology should not be allowed in sports. I believe that as long as adaptive technology used during the event does not provide an unfair advantage then it is fully ok to use. If some sort of adaptive technology is used in training, but not during the actual competition, then it is also ok.  As long as the technology being used isn't shown to provide athletes with an unfair advantage that athletes should be allowed to use it. For example some athletes using running blades have not been allowed to compete in certain competitions. In the video Are Running Blades Cheating? The Biomechanics of Running Prosthetics" Coroporis goes over studies that support, and dismiss the claim that running blades provide an advantage. Studies, and the results of races have shown that these blades do not provide an advantage, especially in long distance races. If adaptive technology is not providing an unfair advantage I see no reason why disabled athletes should not be allowed to compete in able-bodied sporting events. This would help build community, and help fight against any negative thoughts of the disabled being "inferior". Having disabled athletes compete along with able-bodied athletes will hopefully build a fair, competitive community, where athletes are able to show their passion for the event, competition, and their hard work. 


Work Cited

Corporis. (n.d.). Are Running Blades Cheating? The Biomechanics of Running Prosthetics | Corporis. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNhn711-rLM

Running blades and their evolution. National Paralympic Heritage Trust. (n.d.). https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/running-blades-and-their-evolution 

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