There exist limited data to guide the development of methodologies for evaluating impact resilience of prosthetic ankle–foot systems, particularly regarding human-device interaction in ecologically valid scenarios. The purpose of this study was to biomechanically characterize foot–ground interactions during drop-landings among Service members with and without unilateral transtibial limb loss. Seven males with, and seven males without, unilateral transtibial limb loss completed six drop-landing conditions consisting of all combinations of three heights (20 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm) and two loads (with and without a 22.2 kg weighted vest). Peak ground reaction forces (GRF), vertical GRF loading rate and impulse, as well as ankle–foot, knee, and hip joint negative (absorption) powers and work were compared across groups (i.e., contralateral side and prosthetic side vs. uninjured controls) by height and load conditions. Loading occurred primarily in the vertical direction, and increased with increasing drop height and/or with added load. Vertical GRFs were overall ~ 15% smaller on the prosthetic side (vs. controls) with similar loading rates across limbs/groups. From the most challenging condition (i.e., 60 cm with 22 kg load), ankle–foot absorption energies on the prosthetic side were 64.6 (7.2) J; corresponding values were 187.4 (8.9) J for the contralateral limb and 161.2 (6.7) J among uninjured controls. Better understanding biomechanical responses to drop-landings in ecological scenarios will help inform future iterations of mechanical testing methodologies for evaluating impact resilience of prosthetic ankle–foot systems (enhancing prescription criteria and return-to-activity considerations) as well as identifying and mitigating risk factors for long-term secondary complications within the contralateral limb (e.g., joint degeneration).

用于指导评估假肢踝足系统冲击弹性的方法学发展的数据有限，特别是关于生态有效场景中的人机交互。本研究的目的是在有和没有单侧胫骨肢体丧失的服役人员降落期间从生物力学上表征脚与地面的相互作用。七名男性和七名男性没有单侧胫骨断肢完成了六种降落条件，包括三种高度（20 厘米、40 厘米、60 厘米）和两种负载（有和没有 22.2 公斤负重背心）的所有组合。比较各组的峰值地面反作用力 (GRF)、垂直 GRF 载荷率和脉冲，以及踝足、膝关节和髋关节负（吸收）功率和功（即，对侧和假肢侧 vs. 未受伤对照）按高度和负载条件。载荷主要发生在垂直方向，并随着跌落高度的增加和/或载荷的增加而增加。假肢侧（与对照组相比）的垂直 GRF 总体小约 15%，四肢/组的负荷率相似。在最具挑战性的条件下（即 60 cm 负荷 22 kg），假肢侧的踝足吸收能量为 64.6 (7.2) J；对侧肢体的相应值为 187.4 (8.9) J，未受伤对照组的相应值为 161.2 (6.7) J。