Jenna Cohen’s Post

John Cairney, Emma Beckman, and Sean Tweedy write that technology has enabled athletes with disabilities to reach incredible heights. However, it has also introduced new challenges, particularly in ensuring fairness and equity in competition. In the early days, Paralympic technology was basic by today’s standards. Athletes competed in regular wheelchairs and used simple strapping to assist. As the Paralympic Games grew, competitive success became increasingly prized. As a result, athletes used specialised technology to gain a competitive edge. Running blades, for example, are carbon fibre prosthetics designed to mimic natural leg movement while enhancing speed and bounciness. These blades have revolutionised track events. They enable athletes with lower-limb amputations to compete at speeds comparable to, and sometimes even faster than, able-bodied athletes. South African sprinter and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius was the first double amputee with running blades who competed in the London Olympics in 2012 as part of the men’s 4x400 relay. Check out more on this at https://lnkd.in/gE6tWC2v #Paralympics #Disability

🌟 The Para Plympics: A Testament to Human Resilience and Triumph 🌟 Did you know? The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics marked a monumental moment with over 4,500 athletes from 163 countries, showcasing extraordinary talent and determination. 🌍✨ 🔍 **What's trending?** This year, advancements in adaptive sports technology have reshaped the landscape of Para Plympics. From state-of-the-art prosthetics to AI-driven training programs, athletes have more tools than ever to excel. 🦾 🌟 **Inspiring Stories**: Take, for instance, Sarah Storey, a British cyclist who has now accumulated 17 gold medals, making her the most successful British Paralympian in history. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s boundless potential. 🚴♀️ 🚧 **Challenges**: Despite tremendous progress, accessibility and inclusivity remain key challenges. The debate around classification fairness, funding disparities, and global representation continues to stir crucial conversations about equity in sports. 💡 **Industry Influence**: Innovations in sports tech and progressive policies are bridging gaps. However, persistent advocacy is essential to sustain this momentum and ensure every athlete has the opportunity to shine. What are your thoughts on the future of the Para Plympics? How can we as a community support and amplify these incredible athletes? 🤔 Let's celebrate their achievements and continue to foster a world where every talent can thrive! 🌐🌟 #Paralympics #InnovationInSports #InclusionMatters #AdaptiveSports #Inspiration

Take a guess – in which sport do female athletes tend to outperform and outscore their male counterparts? No, it’s not rhythmic gymnastics.In this sport, female physiology provides a unique advantage. Tap the link below to find out which sport favors females and read the full article.

Paralympic athletes face not just the physical demands of their sports, but also the mental and emotional hurdles that come with competing on such a grand stage. Many athletes, like those debuting at the Paris 2024 Games, describe their first Paralympic experience as both exhilarating and intimidating. The pressure to perform, coupled with the challenges of navigating new environments, can be overwhelming. This is where haptic technology comes into play. For visually impaired athletes, for instance, haptic feedback can be a game-changer. We've helped blind althletes like Daniela Velasco, a paralympic runner, run untethered to a guide using subtle vibrations to guide them along the track. Enabling them to focus solely on performance, not way-finding. And it’s not just about the competition. The real beauty of haptic technology is how it can continue to support these athletes off the field, helping them navigate everyday challenges with the same precision and confidence. Whether it’s getting through an airport or moving through a crowded city, haptic feedback can provide the guidance needed to make life just a little bit easier. For 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦.

#ParalympicGames2024 #OttobockTeam #InternationalCollaboration #Competence "Overcoming yourself" – these words best describe the Paralympic Games held in Paris, where 4,400 Paralympic athletes from all around the world competed in 23 different sports. 🏅 "A unique spirit was felt here – the athletes didn't come for medals, not to defeat others, but primarily to defeat themselves," shares 👩🏼⚕️ Vilija Ruškienė, a physiotherapist-orthopedic technologist from the company "Ortopedijos technika", who was part of the Ottobock technical service team at the games. This year’s Paralympic Games technical service team consisted of 164 members from 41 countries, speaking 32 languages. Throughout the games, 3,010 technical service visits were recorded. More than 55% were wheelchair repairs, 17% involved orthopedic braces, nearly 15% were for prosthetics services, and the remaining 13% involved fitting braces, orthopedic insoles, and other equipment repairs. "It was very interesting to be part of such a grand event, to see how much staff works, and how much medical and technical equipment is needed for Paralympians to be able to participate and compete in the games. I was particularly impressed by how the Paralympians care for and support each other and how they have fun together. The Paralympic Games are not just about sports. It's an extraordinary event where physical disability unlocks other enormous human powers," our colleague Vilija Ruškienė believes.

🎯 Perfect 10 in Clinical Trials: Just like athletes strive for that Perfect 10 in gymnastics, clinical research enthusiasts are pushing boundaries to advance healthcare. 🗺️ Every suggestion they make, every protocol they question, and every hypothesis they test brings us closer to better patient outcomes. 🚀 These passionate individuals remind me of elite athletes - driven by curiosity, fueled by dedication, and always aiming higher. While gymnasts perfect their routines through countless hours of practice, our research community meticulously designs studies, analyzes data, and challenges existing paradigms. Their commitment isn't just about today's breakthroughs - it's about building a healthier tomorrow. 🛸 To all my fellow clinical research enthusiasts: Your ideas, no matter how unconventional, deserve to be heard. Like that daring new move in gymnastics that eventually becomes standard, today's bold research questions could be tomorrow's breakthrough treatments. Keep pushing boundaries. Keep asking questions. The future of healthcare is counting on your Perfect 10 performance. #ClinicalResearch #Healthcare #Innovation #Research #MedicalScience #FutureOfMedicine What do you think about this parallel between sports excellence and research dedication? The same spirit? Let's discuss in the comments! 🔬🏅

The Importance of Physical Fitness in Digital Age 📱 In the digital age, where technology and screens play a significant role in our daily lives, the importance of physical fitness cannot be overstated. Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally... Check out our new blog post here: https://lnkd.in/d4k7cbs7

♿ Tech Tuesday ♿ BIG TECH USED FOR GOOD? HERE’S PROOF IT CAN BE DONE Is this the most heartwarming use of tech at the Olympics? This is French Paralympian and wheelchair tennis player Kevin Piette, who lost the use of his legs after an accident when he was just 11. Now aged 36, Piette has long tested exoskeleton technology—even taking part in ‘cybathlons’ that allow competitors with disabilities to use assistive technologies to perform a range of everyday tasks. And as we can see, Piette is living proof that technology can be used to overcome even the toughest of challenges. Piette was one of thousands of torchbearers who carried the Olympic torch all the way from Greece over to France and ultimately into Paris. His battery-powered exoskeleton—which allows users to sit, stand, walk, and even climb stairs—was developed by French company Wandercraft and only officially unveiled last December. Now Piette has become the first regular wheelchair user to use a self-balancing personal exoskeleton to take part in the Olympic torch relay. Wandercraft says the device represents “a significant leap forward in assistive technology” as it aims to launch the first self-balancing walking exoskeleton for personal use to the global market. “This will allow millions of individuals with walking disabilities to regain their mobility and move freely both at home and in their communities, enhancing their independence and sense of liberty and addressing health or well-being issues related to sedentary lifestyle,” the company said. While the Paralympics take place in Paris from August 28 onwards, Piette won’t be taking part. Despite being the 10th-ranked wheelchair tennis player in France, he failed to qualify for the Paralympics. That’s testament to just how many talented para-athletes are out there—and a reminder that the Olympic spirit is about more than just competing. It’s also a reminder that big tech can be used for good in a time when many are starting to question its value to society. What do you think? Can big tech still be used for good? Let me know in the comments. #TechTuesday #Olympics #Paralympics #Paris #Exoskeleton #Tech Video not mine. Credits to Eurosport on YouTube.

The October is out and will be arriving to your mailboxes soon! Production for this month’s issue comes on the heels of the 2024 Paralympics, which was the impetus for its theme of Keeping Patients Active. For some O&P patients, pursuing athletics is certainly their aim. But for many, the goals are less lofty but no less important—taking their dogs for a walk, attending events with their families, going to dinner with friends—all part of keeping active. So in addition to recapping the performances of a few Paralympic athletes, in this issue we bring you insights into strategies to improve patient compliance for better outcomes and keeping knee osteoarthritis patients moving with conservative orthotic interventions. @paralympics #osteoarthritis #Paralympicathletes #competition #prosthetics #orthotics #ParalympicGames #oandp #motivation #

The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have teamed up to highlight the transformative impact of assistive technology on sports during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The ‘Equipped for equity’ campaign emphasises the crucial role of assistive technology for Paralympic athletes to advocate for concerted global action to improve access to these essential health products. Throughout the Paralympic Games 2024, which run from 28 August to 8 September, WHO and IPC will leverage the Paralympics platform to share messages and information focused on the importance of assistive technology, how athletes use it, and why universal access is essential. Examples of assistive technology used by Paralympians include running blades, wheelchairs, and release braces in archery. #assistivetechnology #assistivetech #paraolympics https://lnkd.in/euy8p9he