Anti-gravity treadmill training for prevention and rehabilitation of running injuries

Using lower-body positive air pressure, the AlterG^® Anti-Gravity TreadmillTM controls unloading (from 20% to 100% body weight in 1% increments), allowing for precise rehabilitation protocols unlike any other modality. Overall and peak lower limb impact forces are lower with more support but come with increased stride length, slightly reduced stride rate, and increased forefoot striking. AlterG^® running substantially reduces metabolic demand, although there is substantial individual variability. Several studies found that on the AlterG^®, runners can achieve higher metabolic output with lower overall impact forces. The AlterG^® enables users to run at faster speeds than overground. A small quantity of research suggests that AlterG^® interval training leads to similar performance increases as overground running and that higher intensities may be maintained longer. Although the quality of clinical evidence is modest to date (primarily case studies), initial evidence suggests the AlterG^® can support rapid partial weight-bearing and return to performance.