A team from the interdepartmental laboratory E4Sport at Politecnico di Milano took part in an experimental data collection campaign during the Valmalenco Ultra Distance Trail, a 35 km trail running race with over 2,000 meters of elevation gain. The project, coordinated by Prof. Manuela Galli (Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering) and Prof. Marco Tarabini (Department of Mechanical Engineering), featured athlete Andrea Lanfri, an inspiring example of extraordinary resilience and determination. 

Andrea, a bilateral transtibial amputee, has transformed the challenge of disability into a path of outstanding athletic achievement. After competing with the Italian Paralympic national team in track and field, he turned to high-intensity outdoor disciplines such as mountaineering, long-distance cycling, and mountain running. Among his most remarkable accomplishments are the ascent of Mount Everest, several self-supported alpine crossings, and a world record for the fastest mile run at high altitude with prostheses. 

During the race, the Politecnico team deployed an innovative data acquisition system based on inertial measurement units, positioned on both the residual limbs and the prosthetic devices. The goal was to monitor the athlete’s kinematics in real time, collecting valuable data on human-prosthesis interaction under real-life, highly demanding conditions. 

This initiative is part of a broader INAIL-funded project focused on the development of sensorized prosthetic systems, which includes prosthetic sockets and liners equipped with inertial and fiber optic sensors. The data collection served not only a demonstrative purpose but was also aimed at evaluating the mechanical stress exerted on the prostheses in extreme usage scenarios over rough terrain, laying the groundwork for future analyses to support the design of customized and optimized prosthetic solutions for outdoor activities. 

Politecnico di Milano’s involvement extended beyond race day. On Thursday, July 24, during the opening events of the competition, the research team took part in a public outreach evening dedicated to sport, disability, and technology. The event provided an opportunity to share Andrea’s achievements and highlight the university’s ongoing research in biomechanics and prosthetic innovation.