However, Ivo van Hilvoorde, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Human Movement who often combines sociological and philosophical perspectives on sports, points out that the “gap between people who can afford and who cannot afford the technology. The fact that para-athletes are improving their performances is progress. While the world record for para-athletes for the 100 metre dash (men) stands at 10.57 seconds, Mr Endo says that the “time required to qualify for the finals is becoming much faster.” The number of para-athletes participating in running is on the rise, and the races are becoming increasingly competitive. This was a breakthrough also in the sense that it brought about a shift in public’s perception from seeing para-athletes run as “a rehabilitation programme for the disabled to a ‘proper’ competitive sport” notes Mr Endo. Ken Endo, a prosthetics engineer from MIT and CEO of Xiborg, a company that creates prosthetic legs for athletes, points out that the introduction of running “blades” in the 2000s was instrumental in breaking the para-athletes’ world record (for 100 metres) to below 11 seconds. Technology and innovation have also improved the performance of para-athletes (see infographic). She also emphasises the importance of designs, as athletes’ garments today “also look like they perform- a red car always drives faster.” Para-athletic runners and technology They apply required pressure to the underlying muscles of the athlete, improving the work of targeted muscles, proprioception and fatigue reduction” states Olga Troynikov, who is an associate professor and performance and sport apparel research leader at RMIT University. In addition compression garments often worn for recovery and training. Shoes remain an important focus in applications of new technologies. Athletes today “continue to wear light garments which are breathable and do not impede the thermal function of the athletes’ body.
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