THE EFFECT OF AN ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL ON RUNNING CADENCE

Abstract

Background: Running cadence, or step rate, is often measured in running gait analysis and manipulated in gait retraining. A lower body positive pressure treadmill, or anti-gravity treadmill, allows users to walk/ run in a reduced gravity environment. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine how natural running cadence is affected by running on an anti-gravity treadmill compared to a standard treadmill in a healthy, active population. The secondary purpose was to determine if natural and increased cadence is affected by amount of body weight support. Study Design: Cross-sectional study (convenience sample). Methods: Thirty participants were recruited to run on an anti-gravity treadmill (AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill™ M320) at their pre-determined, self-selected, comfortable treadmill speed. Cadence was recorded at nine randomized bodyweight conditions, ranging from 100% of body weight to 20% of body weight, in 10% increments. An additional nine participants were recruited to try to replicate their natural, standard treadmill cadence, as well as increase it by 5% and 10%, while on an anti-gravity treadmill with the same randomized body weight conditions. Results: Thirty participants, 19 females and 11 males, mean age 27.3 years (range, 22-45), completed Part 1 of the study protocol, while nine additional participants (2 females and 7 males) with a mean age of 29.6 years old (range, 25-40 years) completed Part 2 of the protocol. There was a significant effect of natural running cadence on the anti-gravity treadmill at reduced body weight percentages (p