title: Increased physiologic intensity during walking and running on a non-motorized, curved treadmill.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether exercise performed on a non-motorized, curved treadmill (NMCT) provides greater physiologic stimulus compared to a standard motorized treadmill (SMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossover.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 healthy athletic adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, High Point University, High Point, NC 27268, USA. Electronic address: jsmoliga@highpoint.edu.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Smoliga
authors.affiliation: Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, High Point University, High Point, NC 27268, USA.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hegedus
authors.affiliation: Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, High Point University, High Point, NC 27268, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Energy expenditure; Jogging; Oxygen consumption; Woodway Curve