Abstract
BackgroundAnti-gravity treadmills are used to decrease musculoskeletal loading during treadmill running often in return to play rehabilitation programs. The effect different gradients (uphill/downhill running) have on kinetics and spatiotemporal parameters when using an AlterG® treadmill is unclear with previous research focused on level running only.MethodsTen well-trained healthy male running athletes ran on the AlterG® treadmill at varying combinations of bodyweight support (60, 80, and 100% BW), speed (12 km/hr., 15 km/hr., 18 km/hr., 21 km/hr., and 24 km/hr), and gradients (− 15% decline, − 10, − 5, 0, + 5, + 10 + 15% incline), representing a total of 78 conditions performed in random order. Maximum plantar force and contact time were recorded using a wireless in-shoe force sensor insole system.ResultsRegression analysis showed a linear relationship for maximum plantar force with bodyweight support and running speeds for level running (p < 0.0001, adj. R2 = 0.604). The linear relationship, however, does not hold for negative gradients at speeds 12 & 15 km/h, with a relative ‘dip’ in maximum plantar force across all assisted bodyweight settings.ConclusionsMaximum plantar force peaks are larger with faster running and smaller with more AlterG® assisted bodyweight support (athlete unweighing). Gradient made little difference except for a downhill grade of − 5% decreasing force peaks as compared to level or uphill running.
Highlights
Anti-gravity treadmills are used to decrease musculoskeletal loading during treadmill running often in return to play rehabilitation programs
Maximum plantar force Regression analysis showed a linear relationship for Fmax by AlterG® assisted BW support and different running speeds for level running
Multiple regression analysis shows that the relationship between Fmax, AlterG® assisted BW support, running speeds, including multiple gradients of running, remains linear for positive gradients only (p < 0.001, adj R2 = 0.613) (Supplementary figure 1)
Summary
Anti-gravity treadmills are used to decrease musculoskeletal loading during treadmill running often in return to play rehabilitation programs. Reduced gravity treadmills are being utilised for rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries to manipulate the magnitude of load on the musculoskeletal system while walking or running [6,7,8]. Athletes wear neoprene shorts zipped into a sealed chamber surrounding the treadmill while positive air pressure is pumped into the chamber to reduce the athlete’s bodyweight (BW). The amount of reduction in athlete BW used can range from no assistance (100% of athletes’ BW) down to 20% (i.e. extra positive air pressure pumped into chamber to lift 80% of the athlete’s BW off the treadmill deck)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
