I would suppose it's good for people like my fiancée, who has knee issues and can't really run because of it. Probably also good for any people just starting out training, especially people with severe weight issues, as it would allow them to run longer and thus burn more calories.
Magnulus is right on. Consider this like the big assisted weight machines you see at the gym in their little corner away from the free weights. It is for people just starting out, or maybe needing something lower impact to help reduce the strain on joints.
I can understand that it might make working out easier, especially for people that may be overweight. This might help out their knees and other areas but I think there is a large downside to this piece of equipment as well. I imagine that this machine will have smaller results than actual walking or running and this would discourage someone that is new to training or someone that is trying to lose a lot of weight. They will initially like the piece of equipment because its not as difficult as other methods but once they realize the amount of time they are spending and the lack of results I think there will be a high turnover for this machine.
Its goals are presumed to be rehabilitative. Athletes and patients who have injuries and/or undergone surgical procedures may not be able to handle full weight bearing on an injured joint or leg. This device will allow rehabilitative clinicians to accurately manipulate the degree of weight bearing at which a patient can exercise, with fewer concerns of re-injury. Intensity will decrease, however the activity of the large muscle groups provides sufficient exercise to minimize loss of cardio-respiratory endurance and promote reductions in swelling and edema in local tissues. As some other comments have posited, this device can assist with patients with repetitive stress and overuse injuries, where the intensity of gravitational force associated with unmodified exercise would predispose new injury or worsen existing injury. I've seen similar devices in high-end gyms and labs, but the FDA approval will hopefully lead to wider acceptance, as ultimately rehabilitative use will become billable to Medicare and other third-party-payer systems (insurance companies, etc.). Any other questions kiddies...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hotrod @ Feb 20th 2008 5:27PM
So what are the benefits of this? I honestly don't know and I'm curious.
Ignatius @ Feb 20th 2008 5:29PM
The less weight, the less energy you need to use to move and the longer you can continue to run?
I dunno.
Magnulus @ Feb 20th 2008 5:30PM
I would suppose it's good for people like my fiancée, who has knee issues and can't really run because of it. Probably also good for any people just starting out training, especially people with severe weight issues, as it would allow them to run longer and thus burn more calories.
disciple83 @ Feb 20th 2008 5:36PM
Magnulus is right on. Consider this like the big assisted weight machines you see at the gym in their little corner away from the free weights. It is for people just starting out, or maybe needing something lower impact to help reduce the strain on joints.
Mike @ Feb 20th 2008 6:19PM
I can understand that it might make working out easier, especially for people that may be overweight. This might help out their knees and other areas but I think there is a large downside to this piece of equipment as well. I imagine that this machine will have smaller results than actual walking or running and this would discourage someone that is new to training or someone that is trying to lose a lot of weight. They will initially like the piece of equipment because its not as difficult as other methods but once they realize the amount of time they are spending and the lack of results I think there will be a high turnover for this machine.
CHEESEMAN @ Feb 20th 2008 7:22PM
Magnulus
"...especially people with severe weight issues,..."
i don't see how someone with severe weight issues would be able to fit in that thing.
tylersmyler @ Feb 20th 2008 7:07PM
So it's easy on your joints like swimming but your running. hmmmmm..
what happens if that was an anti-gravity elliptical? Wouldn't that be even less strain?
Mr. Funk @ Feb 20th 2008 8:53PM
I don't get it. If you only weigh 1% of normal, how will running burn any calories?
Taylor @ Feb 21st 2008 12:08AM
Its goals are presumed to be rehabilitative. Athletes and patients who have injuries and/or undergone surgical procedures may not be able to handle full weight bearing on an injured joint or leg. This device will allow rehabilitative clinicians to accurately manipulate the degree of weight bearing at which a patient can exercise, with fewer concerns of re-injury. Intensity will decrease, however the activity of the large muscle groups provides sufficient exercise to minimize loss of cardio-respiratory endurance and promote reductions in swelling and edema in local tissues. As some other comments have posited, this device can assist with patients with repetitive stress and overuse injuries, where the intensity of gravitational force associated with unmodified exercise would predispose new injury or worsen existing injury. I've seen similar devices in high-end gyms and labs, but the FDA approval will hopefully lead to wider acceptance, as ultimately rehabilitative use will become billable to Medicare and other third-party-payer systems (insurance companies, etc.). Any other questions kiddies...