In summary, the results of the present study emphasize the importance of high average force application to both rear and front blocks. In addition, the forces should be applied as horizontally as possible, in the direction of forward motion. The avoidance of high mediolateral forces had no significant effect on start performance in non-amputee sprinters. These features of successful push-off from the starting blocks are consistent with recently published studies of world-class athletes . Force application to the starting blocks was clearly impaired in amputees using RSPs (versus non-amputees), with greater impairment occurring in athletes with more proximal amputations (higher up leg). This impairment led to significantly reduced start performance in the amputee sprinters. On the other hand, their RSPs appear to better replicate the functionality of biological limbs during the constant-speed phases of the 100-m race.