🏃 Running Blades
Inspired by the fastest animal on Earth and made from race car materials!
Inspired by Cheetahs!
Running blades are special prosthetic legs shaped like a curved letter "J" or "C." Engineers designed them by studying how cheetahs - the fastest animals on Earth - run!
They're made from carbon fiber, the same super-strong, super-light material used in race cars and fighter jets. This material is incredibly tough but weighs almost nothing.
🐆 Cheetah Leg
Long, curved leg that stores energy like a spring. No heel contact. Pushes off from toes. Built for speed!
🦿 Running Blade
J-shaped curve that stores energy like a spring. No heel. Pushes off from the tip. Built for speed!
The company Ossur makes the most famous running blades, including one actually called the "Flex-Foot Cheetah"! It's named after the animal that inspired it.
The Amazing Physics of Springs
Here's the coolest part: running blades work like springs. When your foot hits the ground, the blade compresses and stores energy. Then the blade rebounds and pushes you forward!
Press to compress the blade!
Click to see how the blade stores and releases energy, just like a spring!
Running Blades vs. Walking Prosthetics
Running blades are different from walking prosthetics because when you run, you don't use your heel - you run on your toes! That's why blades have no heel and are designed for speed rather than stability.
🚶 Walking Prosthetic
Has a foot shape with heel. Designed for balance and comfort. Made for all-day wear. Looks like a real foot.
🏃 Running Blade
No heel at all. J-shaped spring curve. Made for speed and competition. Light as possible!
Companies like Ottobock make the "Runner Junior" specifically for kids under 13 who want to run track, play with friends, and participate in PE class. Every kid deserves to run!
The science behind running blades is called "elastic energy return." When the carbon fiber bends, it stores potential energy (like pulling back a slingshot). When it snaps back to its original shape, that potential energy converts to kinetic energy (forward movement).
A human Achilles tendon returns about 35% of energy, while the best running blades return up to 90%. However, blades can't generate NEW force like muscles can - they can only return what you put in. That's why the athlete's strength still matters enormously!
Test Your Knowledge!
Q1. What animal inspired the design of running blades?
Q2. What material are running blades made from?
Q3. Why don't running blades have a heel?