Non-motorized Treadmill Running Is Associated with Higher Cardiometabolic Demands Compared with Overground and Motorized Treadmill Running

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiometabolic demands of running on a curved non-motorized treadmill (cNMT) with overground (OVR) and motorized treadmill (MOT) running. Fourteen trained male (n = 7) and female (n = 7) runners (trueV·O2peak 56.6 ± 4.0 mL.kg−1.min−1) participated in the study. Each experimental session consisted of 5 × 6-min bouts of running at progressively higher speeds, separated by 6-min rest (females 9–15 km.h−1; males 10.5–16.5 km.h−1). Oxygen consumption (trueV·O2) and heart rate (HR) during the last 2 min of each bout were measured using a portable metabolic cart. Running at a set speed on the cNMT required a higher percentage of trueV·O2peak than OVR (mean ± 90% CI, 22 ± 6%; ES ± 90% CI, 1.87 ± 0.15) and MOT (16 ± 6%; ES 1.50 ± 0.15) running. Similarly, HR during the cNMT was higher compared to OVR (25 ± 9 beats.min−1, ES 1.23 ± 0.14) and MOT (22 ± 9 beats.min−1, ES 1.35 ± 0.13) trials. The decline in running economy observed during the cNMT trial was negatively related to body mass (R2 0.493, P = 0.01), indicating lighter runners were required to work at a higher relative intensity to overcome treadmill belt resistance. These data demonstrate the higher cardiometabolic demand associated with running at a given speed on the cNMT. It is critical these differences are taken into account when prescribing training intensities on the cNMT or translating data from the laboratory to an athletic setting.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Crossover Studies Comparing Physiological, Perceptual and Performance Measures Between Treadmill and Overground Running

“…Thirty-four studies were included in this review and are summarised in Table 2. Non-motorised treadmill running was considered in only three of the 34 included studies [5,14,29]. This small number of studies was considered insufficient for undertaking a systematic review.…”

“…org/) and following the checklist for the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2015. The original protocol was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) in October 2017 and involved a speed are required [4], and anecdotal reports suggest they are becoming a popular training device for runners [5]. The main advantage of treadmills, compared with overground running, is that they allow various physiological measures to be captured within a limited and controlled space, greater control over performance variables such as running velocity and surface gradient, and greater control over environmental variables such as ambient temperature, wind speed and relative humidity when compared with outdoor running [6].…”

“…Notably, Jones and Doust [2] found that V O 2 could be matched between overground and motorised treadmill conditions by adjusting the treadmill grade to 1%. As a result, many researchers adjust the treadmill grade to 1% [12][13][14][15][16], despite not all studies supporting this practice [5,12]. Using a treadmill grade such as 1% might be particularly important at faster running speeds, which tend to demonstrate greater air resistance during overground running larger systematic review project comparing overground and treadmill running across a broader range of outcome measures (Registration number CRD42017074640).…”

The effects of recovery duration on physiological and perceptual responses of trained runners during four self-paced HIIT sessions

“…Recently, we and others showed that a curved non-motorized treadmill (cNMT; Woodway Inc., Waukesha, United States of America) can be a useful tool to study self-paced running in a lab setting. 14,15 Running on the cNMT is participant driven and provides a closer experience to overground locomotion by allowing for rapid changes of velocity, step-to-step gait variability and, most importantly, an unconsciousness decision making process to change pace. 16 The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different recovery durations on the acute physiological and perceptual responses, and the accompanying running velocities in a HIIT session performed under isoeffort conditions.…”

Comparison of energy expenditure and substrate metabolism during overground and motorized treadmill running in Chinese middle-aged women

“…However, several studies found the opposite results. Some studies 8,9 found that there was no significant difference in oxygen uptake between the two modes, while others 10,11 found that the oxygen uptake of motorized-treadmill running was higher than that of overground running at the same speed. Concerning the differences in subjects, test conditions, and methods, there is no consensus in previous researches on whether the energy demands of treadmill…”