Increased physiologic intensity during walking and running on a non-motorized, curved treadmill.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether exercise performed on a non-motorized, curved treadmill (NMCT) provides greater physiologic stimulus compared to a standard motorized treadmill (SMT).

STUDY DESIGN

Crossover.

SETTING

Clinical research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

10 healthy athletic adults.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants walked (1.34 m s(-1)) for 3 min and ran (2.24 m s(-1)) for 4 min on NMCT and SMT (randomized order) while metabolic data and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected. Participants then identified preferred easy and moderate intensity training paces on each treadmill while blinded to speed. Repeated-measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were used to compare responses between treadmills.

RESULTS

Intensity was significantly greater (P < 0.001) for NMCT than SMT [mean (95% confidence interval): Walking = 5.9(5.3,6.4) vs. 3.4(3.0,3.7) METs; Running = 10.7(9,6,11.7) vs. 7.3(6.8,7.8) METs]. Overall RPE was significantly greater (P < 0.01) on NMCT than SMT for walking [median (inter-quartile range): 7(1) vs. 6(0.8)] and running [11.5(3) vs. 8(2.5)]. Preferred speed was significantly slower on NMCT than SMT for easy [2.5(2.3,2.7) vs. 2.8(2.5,3.1) m s(-1)] and moderate [3.2(3.0,3.4) vs. 3.5(3.1,3.9) m s(-1)] intensities.

CONCLUSIONS

NMCT elicits greater physiological stimulus than SMT with small, though statistically significant, changes in RPE at matched speeds. Clinicians must be aware of differences in intensity and RPE when prescribing exercise on NMCT.