Question

Do you think someone with a prosthetic leg has an advantage over able bodies athletes, if yes or no, explain why? Link to anatomy, joints, muscular system etc

Answer 1

YES If anything, they may reduce the top speed a runner can achieve.

The research supports the case made by the South African Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius, who uses flexible carbon-fibre blades in races. Pistorius has long argued that he should be allowed to compete alongside able-bodied athletes in races, but athletics authorities banned him from doing so in last year's Olympic games, claiming that his blades gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied athletes.

They found that the limiting factor determining an athlete's top speed was how hard the foot or prosthesis hit the ground. Their study showed this "ground force" was around 9% lower in the prosthetic limb versus the unaffected leg.