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Space-tech at the Paralympics
 
21 September 2004

Wojtek Czyz long jumps
Wojtek Czyz currently holds the world record for long jump: 5.85 m set in 2003. At the Paralympics 2004 in Athens he hopes to exceed 6 m and set a new record.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz
 
  Space materials to the rescue
 
Wojtek Czyz long-jumping during training at the German Sports University in Cologne, Germany. A special prosthesis has been constructed for him for his participation to the Paralympics with space materials. The space materials’ advantage is that they are extremely strong and at the same time lighter than conventional products.

Credits: MST Aerospace / ESA
 
 
German athlete Wojtek Czyz
The European Space Agency's Technology Transfer Programme has initiated collaboration with German athlete Wojtek Czyz to improve prostheses for people with disabilities, to help them participate in sports at competitive levels as well as enjoy a better life.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz
 
 
German athlete Wojtek Czyz
The European Space Agency's Technology Transfer Programme is collaborating with German athlete Wojtek Czyz to improve prostheses for people with disabilities, to help them participate in sports at competitive level as well as enjoy a better life.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz
 
 
German athlete Wojtek Czyz
Wojtek Czyz with his improved long-jump prosthesis. The prosthesis consists of four pieces. The first is a shaft used to attach the prosthesis to the stump of the leg, the second is the artificial knee, the third is the knee joint element, an L-shaped bracket connecting the artificial knee to the fourth element, a carbon fibre spring that substitutes for the lower part of the leg and the foot.

Credits: MST (image) / ESA-Medialab AOES (diagram)
 
  Training
 
Wojtek Czyz at training
Wojtek Czyz trains at the German Sports University in Cologne (DSHS)

Credits: Stefan Schneider / DSHS
 
 
German athlete Wojtek Czyz
Wojtek Czyz uses the Percutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulator (PEMS) from ESA to increase his muscle mass and reduce atrophy in the leg. PEMS was developed and manufactured by the Swiss company Syderal to prevent the effects of microgravity on astronauts particularly muscle atrophy and accompanying effects like bone mineralization and cardiovascular de-conditioning. In 1996 PEMS I flew on the Space Shuttle and PEMS II is planned to be delivered to the ISS next May.

Credits: Stefan Schneider / DSHS
 
 
German athlete Wojtek Czyz
ESA's Technology Transfer Progamme has supported the improvement of Wojtek Czyz' prostheses. Here he is testing the one specially developed for sprinting which he is using at the Paralympics Games 2004 in Athens for 100 m and 200 m sprint.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz
 
 
More information
Wojtek CzyzParalympic Games, Athens 2004Gold in 100 m sprint
ESA links
Technology Transfer ProgrammeHuman Spaceflight and ExplorationEuropean Healthcare Network
Related links
MST AerospaceISATECSyderalManchester Metropolitan University - Active Life-span Research ProgrammeDLR Aerospace MedicineGerman Sports University in CologneGrado Zero Espace
 
 
 
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