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{{Short description|Exercise machine}}
:''For historic usage see [[Treadwheel]]''
{{For|historic usage|Treadwheel}}
{{Original research|date=September 2007}}
{{Other uses}}
[[Image:treadmill.jpg|thumb|right|A woman on a treadmill.]]
[[Image:Exercise Treadmill Convey Motion.jpg|thumb|right|Example of modern treadmill]]
A '''treadmill''' is commonly encountered today as a piece of indoor sporting equipment used to allow for the motions of [[running]] or [[walking]] while staying in one place. The word ''treadmill'' traditionally refers to a type of [[mill (grinding)|mill]] which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain (see [[treadwheel]].)
A '''treadmill''' is a device generally used for walking, [[running]], or climbing while staying in the same place. Treadmills were introduced before the development of powered [[machine]]s to harness the power of animals or humans to do work, often a type of [[Mill (grinding)|mill]] operated by a person or animal treading the steps of a [[treadwheel]] to grind grain. In later times, treadmills were used as punishment devices for people sentenced to [[Penal labour#Punitive prison labour|hard labour]] in prisons. The terms ''treadmill'' and ''treadwheel'' were used interchangeably for the power and punishment mechanisms.


The principle is a [[conveyor belt|belt system]] (an [[electric motor]] or [[flywheel]] connected to a circular run of material) where the top of the belt moves to the rear so as to allow a runner to run an equal, and necessarily opposite speed. Thus the speed of the run can easily be set or measured (the rate at which the belt moves is the rate at which the runner moves). The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven. The simpler, lighter, cheaper versions are passive, moving only when the walker pushes the belt with their feet, and operates just to resist the motion.
More recently, treadmills have instead been used as [[exercise machine]]s for running or walking in one place. Rather than the user powering a mill, the device provides a moving platform with a wide [[conveyor belt]] driven by an [[electric motor]] or a [[flywheel]]. The belt moves to the rear, requiring the user to walk or run at a speed matching the belt. The rate at which the belt moves is the rate of walking or running. Thus, the speed of running may be controlled and measured. The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven (usually by an electric motor). The simpler, lighter, and less expensive versions passively resist the motion, moving only when walkers push the belt with their feet. The latter are known as manual treadmills.


Treadmills continue to be the biggest-selling exercise equipment category by a large margin. As a result, the treadmill industry has hundreds of manufacturers throughout the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Treadmill Manufacturers in the USA|url=https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/top-suppliers/treadmill-manufacturers-suppliers|access-date=2021-01-02|website=www.thomasnet.com|language=en}}</ref>
==Origins==


==History==
Treadmills were historically used as a method of reforming offenders in prison, an innovation introduced by [[Sir William Cubit]] in 1817.<ref>[http://www.uic.edu/aa/college/gallery400/notions/histories.htm History of human-powered machinery]</ref>; these were also termed [[treadwheel]]s. The first private health club in the U.S. was started by Professor Louis Attila in 1894. Cardio workout machines entered the clubs much later and were developed initially for the hospital. The first medical treadmill designed to diagnose heart and lung disease was invented by [[Robert A. Bruce|Dr. Robert Bruce]] and Wayne Quinton at the University of Washington in 1952. [[Kenneth Cooper|Dr. Kenneth Cooper's]] research on the benefits of aerobic exercise, published in 1968, provided a medical argument to support the commercial development of the home treadmill and exercise bike.
[[William Staub]], a mechanical engineer, developed the first consumer treadmill for home use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hfe.co.uk/blog/history-of-the-treadmill/ |title=The History of the Treadmill |first=Josh |last=Douglas-Walton |publisher=Health and Fitness Education | access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> Staub developed his treadmill after reading the 1968 book, ''Aerobics'' by [[Kenneth H. Cooper]]. Cooper's book noted that individuals who ran for eight minutes four to five times a week would be in better physical condition. Staub noticed that there were no affordable household treadmills at the time and decided to develop one for his use during the late 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yardley |first=William |date=2012-07-28 |title=William Staub, Engineer Who Built an Affordable Treadmill, Dies at 96 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/business/william-staub-pioneer-of-affordable-treadmill-dies-at-96.html |access-date=2022-11-25 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He called his first treadmill the PaceMaster 600. Once finished, Staub sent his prototype treadmill to Cooper, who found the machine's first customers, including sellers of fitness equipment.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}


Staub began producing the first home treadmills at his plant in [[Clifton, New Jersey]], before moving production to [[Little Falls, New Jersey]].


==Functions==


== Disadvantages ==
===Use for power===
[[File:En Trædemoelle.gif|thumb|upright|Human-powered treadmill for grinding grain]]
* Many users find treadmills boring and lose interest after a period.
[[File:Batteuse 1881.jpg|thumb|Horses powering a [[threshing]] mill]]
* Cost of purchase and electricity to run the treadmill is significantly greater than running outside.
{{Expand section|date=February 2012}}
* Takes up space in homes (disadvantage reduced by "folding treadmill" option).
Treadmills as power sources originated in antiquity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historytoday.com/j-kenneth-major/pre-industrial-sources-power-muscle-power |title=The Pre-Industrial Sources of Power: Muscle Power |first=Kenneth |last=Major |publisher=[[History Today]] |year=1980| access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> These ancient machines had three major types of design.<ref>{{cite web|title=Histories and Precedents|url=http://www.uic.edu/aa/college/gallery400/notions/histories.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222084704/http://www.uic.edu/aa/college/gallery400/notions/histories.htm|archive-date=2012-02-22|access-date=September 2, 2013|publisher=University of Illinois at Chicago}}</ref> The first was a horizontal bar jutting out of a vertical shaft. It rotated around a vertical axis, driven by an [[ox]] or other animal walking in a circle and pushing the bar. Humans were also used to power these. The second design was a vertical wheel, a [[treadwheel]], that was powered by climbing in place instead of walking in circles. This is similar to what we know today as the [[hamster wheel]]. The third design also required climbing but used a sloped, moving platform instead.
* May cause personal injury if not used properly.

* Can make a loud grinding noise if the belt keeps slipping.
Treadmills as muscle-powered engines originated roughly 4000 years ago.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} Their primary use was to lift buckets of water. This same technology was later adapted to create rotary grain mills and the [[treadwheel crane]]. It was also used to pump water and power dough-kneading machines and bellows.
* Lack of wind resistance makes running on a treadmill easier than it would otherwise be on an equal elevation grade outdoors. Training for outdoor races is complicated due to the subtle differences.

* Ordinary treadmills, even the expensive models at gyms and clubs, are not usually able to tilt at the steep slopes used on medical treadmills for standardized stress tests.
===Use for punishment===
{{main|Penal treadmill}}

[[File:Treadmill.JPG|thumb|left|Treadmill used to punish prisoners at Breakwater Prison, [[Cape Town]]]]
Treadmills for punishment were introduced in 1818 by an English engineer named Sir [[William Cubitt]], who was the son of a miller. Noting idle prisoners at [[Bury St Edmunds]] [[gaol]], he proposed using their muscle power to both cure their idleness and produce useful work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/12275/treadmills-prison-origins#ixzz2Vzs1HjlV|title=The Treadmill's Prison Origins|author=Cassie Arnold|publisher=Mental Floss, Inc (USA)|access-date=2013-06-12}}</ref>

Cubitt's treadmills for punishment usually rotated around a horizontal axis, requiring the user to step upwards, like walking up an endless staircase. Those punished walked around the outside of the wheel holding a horizontal handrail for stability. By the [[Prison Act]] of 1865 every male prisoner over 16, sentenced to [[hard labour]], had to spend three months at least of his sentence in the labour of first class, which consisted primarily of the treadmill.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Tread-mill|volume=27|page=223}}</ref>

Punishment treadmills remained in use until the second half of the 19th century; they were typically twenty-foot (0,6 m) long paddle wheels with twenty-four steps around a six-foot (1,82 m) cylinder. Several prisoners stood side-by-side on a wheel and had to work six or more hours a day, effectively climbing 5,000 to 14,000 vertical feet (1500 to 4000&nbsp;m). While the purpose was mainly punitive, the most infamous mill at [[Brixton (HM Prison)#History|Brixton Prison]] was installed in 1821 and used to grind grain to supplement an existing windmill which Cubitt had previously installed nearby. It gained notoriety for the [[cruelty]] with which it was used, which then became a popular [[satire|satirical]] [[metaphor]] for early-19th century prisons.

The machines could also pump water or power ventilators in mines.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y-1MSMxWekQC&q=treadmill+%22ben+nevis%22+prison&pg=PT134 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730174032/http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=y-1MSMxWekQC&pg=PT134&lpg=PT134&dq=treadmill%2B%22ben%2Bnevis%22%2Bprison&source=bl&ots=TjrmMewcif&sig=cEJI-GikvwiolyNngV9unSR9dVU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tLQ5T6HoHYvZ8QO3ypj0Cg&redir_esc=y |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-30 |title=The A-Z of punishment and torture |first=Irene |last=Thompson |publisher=Book Guild Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84624-203-8 |page=134 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nI6vKvIR18cC&q=treadmill+invented+1818&pg=PA106 |title=The problem of freedom: race, labour, and politics in Jamaica and Britain, 1832-1938 |first=Thomas |last=Cleveland Holt |publisher=JHU Press |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-8018-4291-7 |page=106}}</ref>

===Use for exercise===
The first US patent for a treadmill "training machine" (#1,064,968) was issued on June 17, 1913.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.no/patents/US1064968?dq=training+machine+1,064,968&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LjGmUuuQBYia7Qa63IGwBg&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA |title=Patent US1064968 - Training-machine. - Google Patents |publisher=Google.no |access-date=2014-07-22}}</ref>

The forerunner of the exercise treadmill was designed to diagnose heart and lung diseases, and was invented by [[Robert A. Bruce|Robert Bruce]] and [[Wayne Quinton]] at the University of Washington in 1952.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/226490-can-you-lose-stomach-fat-on-a-treadmill/ |title=Can You Lose Stomach Fat On A Treadmill? |publisher=Livestrong.com |first=Brooke |last=Peyman |date=March 31, 2011 |access-date=2012-02-29}}</ref> [[Kenneth H. Cooper]]'s research on the benefits of aerobic exercise, published in 1968, provided a medical argument to support the commercial development of the home treadmill and exercise bike.

[[File:RIAN archive 555848 Testing on treadmill.jpg|thumb|left|Treadmill test at the medical center of the [[Olympic village]] at the [[1980 Summer Olympics]]]]
Among users of treadmills today are medical facilities (hospitals, rehabilitation centers, medical and physiotherapy clinics, institutes of higher education), sports clubs, biomechanics institutes, orthopedic shoe shops, running shops, Olympic training centers, universities, fire-training centers, NASA, test facilities, police forces and armies, gyms and even home users.

Treadmill ergometers are now mainly motor driven. Most treadmills have a running deck with a rotating belt. Before and after the running deck, there are two shafts. The belt is stretched between the shafts and the running deck. Safety standards for treadmills are IEC EN 957-1 and IEC EN 957-6.

For medical treadmills applicable norms, standards and guidelines include the Medical Device Directive (MDD), European Guideline 93/42 EEC, European Guideline 2007/47 EEC, IEC EN 60601-1, EN 62304, EN 14971 and the machinery directive 2006/42/EC.

Medical treadmills are class IIb active therapeutic devices and also active devices for diagnosis. With their very powerful (e.g. 3.3&nbsp;kW = 4.5&nbsp; HP) electric motor-powered drive system, treadmills deliver mechanical energy to the human body through the moving running belt of the treadmill. The subject does not change their horizontal position and is passively moved and forced to catch up with the running belt underneath their feet. The subject can also be attached in a safety harness, unweighting system, various supports or even fixed in and moved with a robotic orthotic system utilizing the treadmill.

Medical treadmills are also active measuring devices. When connected through an interface with [[ECG]], [[Spirometry|ergospirometry]], [[blood pressure monitor]] (BPM), or [[Electromyography|EMG]], they become a new medical system (e.g., stress test system or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation system) and can also be equipped to measure [[VO2max|VO₂ max]] and various other vital functions.

Most treadmills have a "cardio mode", where a target heart rate is defined and the speed and elevation (load) are controlled automatically until the subject is in a "heart rate steady state". So the treadmill is delivering mechanical energy to the human body based on the vital function (heart rate) of the subject.

A medical treadmill used for ergometry and cardiopulmonary stress tests and performance diagnostics is always a class IIb medical device either when used as a stand-alone device in a medical environment or when used in connection with an ECG, EMG, ergospirometry, or blood pressure monitoring device.
[[File:T.J. Creamer ISS022-E-020918 (8 Jan. 2010).jpg|thumb|250px|NASA astronaut [[T.J. Creamer]], [[Expedition 22]] flight engineer, equipped with a bungee harness, exercises on the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station.]]
On the running deck the subject moves, adapting to the adjustable speed of the belt. The running deck is usually mounted on damping elements, so the running deck has shock-absorbing characteristics. A lifting element raises the entire frame including the running deck and simulates a pitch angle for uphill running. Some treadmills can also reverse the running belt to simulate downhill loads. Most treadmills for professional use in the fitness area have table sizes of about {{Convert|150|cm|in|abbr=unit}} long and {{Convert|50|cm|in|abbr=unit}} width, a speed range of about {{Convert|0-20|km/h|mph|abbr=unit}} and slope angle of 0–20%.

Larger, more stable treadmills are required for athletes. With some weight relief, sprinters reach temporary speeds of up to {{Convert|45|km/h|mph|abbr=unit}} and must therefore run on a large deck of up to {{Convert|300|cm|in|abbr=unit}} in length and up to {{Convert|100|cm|in|abbr=unit}} in width. With high physical exertion and an increased risk of falling, a fall-stop unit is required to prevent the subject or patient from falling. This fall-stop device usually takes the form of a safety arch to which a line is attached to an electrical switch. A harness bears the subject, preventing them from falling and shutting down the running belt if necessary.

Motorized or manual treadmills can use a slat belt design instead of a traditional continuous treadmill belt. Slat belt treadmills have individual rubberized slats that support shod or unshod walking and running.

In some offices, employees are provided with [[treadmill desk]]s so that employees can walk while working on a computer or speaking on the phone.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Katz|first=Mandy|date=September 16, 2008|title=I Put In 5 Miles at the Office|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/health/nutrition/18fitness.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

In treatment centers, treadmills are used with built-in seats left and right for therapists, for example, so the therapists can move the legs of a stroke patient to simulate walking movements and help them learn to walk again. This is called manual locomotion therapy.

Oversized treadmills are also used for cycling at speeds up to {{Convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=unit}}, for wheelchair users and in special applications with sturdy running belts for cross-country skiing and biathlon, where athletes perform training and testing exercises with roller skis on a running deck of up to {{Convert|450 x 300|cm|in|abbr=unit}}.

==Advantages and disadvantages==
===Advantages===
* Enables the user to adhere to an indoor exercise regime irrespective of the weather.
* Cushioned treadmill can provide slightly lower impact training than running on outdoor surfaces. Although cushioned belts have mostly been phased out and cushioned replacement belts may be hard to find, many treadmills have rubber or urethane deck elastomers (cushions) which are superior in cushioning and last longer than cushioned belts. For a time, banana-shaped flexible decks were available which were among the very best for cushioning and were priced at a mid-range level, but these are no longer being sold, perhaps because of the increased manufacturing cost of making flexible decks. Cushioned belts do not last as long as regular belts due to their construction from weaker materials. For calorie burning, incline can be used to significantly reduce impact for a given rate of energy use.
* Incline setting can allow for consistent "uphill" training that is not possible when relying on natural features.
* Rate settings force a consistent pace.
* Some treadmills have programmes so that the user can simulate terrains, e.g. rolling hills, to provide accurate, programmed, exercise periods.
* The user can watch TV while using the treadmill, thus avoiding sedentary TV viewing.
* User progress such as distance, calories burned, and heart rate can be tracked.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
* Running backwards "uphill" may develop many antagonistic muscles otherwise ignored when running forward.
* Running on a treadmill removes the worry about being a target of criminal activity, traffic, uneven terrain, and other outdoor hazards.

=== Disadvantages ===
As a cardiovascular exercise:

* Some treadmill runners develop poor running habits that become apparent when they return to outdoor running. In particular, a short, upright, bouncy gait may result from having no wind resistance and trying to avoid kicking the motor covering with the front of the foot.
* Imposes a strict pace on runners, giving an unnatural feel to running which can cause a runner to lose balance.
* Imposes a strict pace on runners, giving an unnatural feel to running which can cause a runner to lose balance.
* Treadmill running is not specific to any sport, i.e., there is no competitive sport that utilizes treadmill running. For example, a competitive runner would be far better off running outdoors through space since it is more specific and realistic to their event.
* As with all forms of [[cardiovascular exercise]], the risk of [[cardiac arrest]] is significantly increased. Treadmills may further this risk, as indoor comforts, such as [[air conditioning]], may cause a user to feel more comfortable and less likely to stop due to exhaustion.
* There are differences in temporal and angular kinematics which should be considered when treadmills are used within a rehabilitation program.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chockalingam |first1=Nachiappan |last2=Chatterley |first2=Faye |last3=Healy |first3=Aoife C. |last4=Greenhalgh |first4=Andrew |last5=Branthwaite |first5=Helen R. |title=Comparison of Pelvic Complex Kinematics During Treadmill and Overground Walking |journal=Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |date=December 2012 |volume=93 |issue=12 |pages=2302–2308 |doi=10.1016/j.apmr.2011.10.022|pmid=22365476 |url=http://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/434/1/Chockalingam_Archives_Final.docx }}</ref>

As an indoor activity:
* Many users find treadmills monotonous and lose interest after a period.<ref>{{cite web|last=Luff|first=Christine|date=September 6, 2009|title=How To Beat Boredom on the Treadmill|url=http://running.about.com/od/treadmillrunning/tp/beattreadmillboredom.htm|access-date=January 22, 2009|website=verywellfit|publisher=[[About.com]]|archive-date=March 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312075601/http://running.about.com/od/treadmillrunning/tp/beattreadmillboredom.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Treadmills do not offer the psychological satisfaction some runners get from running in new locations away from the distractions of home.
* Neighbours may complain about noise from the treadmill (thumping and vibrations),<ref>[https://acoustical-consultants.com/built-environment/fitness-center-design-noise-and-vibration-issues/ Noise and Vibration Considerations During Gym or Fitness Club Design]</ref> particularly neighbours downstairs in an apartment

As a machine:
* May cause personal injury if not used properly. Of particular concern are children who reach into the treadmill belt while it is running and suffer severe friction burns that in the worst case may require multiple skin grafts and result in lasting disability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/the-danger-of-treadmills/ |title=The Dangers of Treadmills |first=Tara |last=Parker-Pope |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 27, 2009|access-date=January 22, 2009}}</ref> When not in use, remove the safety key to prevent children from being injured by the treadmill belt.
* Compared to running outside, the cost of purchase, electricity, and potential repairs are substantially higher.
* Takes up space in homes.


==Other uses==
==Other uses==
[[File:Horse on treadmill in Qatar.jpg|thumb|Horse on a treadmill]]
As it is a [[conveyor belt]], the treadmill can be used for activities other than running. If [[horse]]s are being tested (especially in jockey racing) they will be put on a specially constructed treadmill. Large treadmills can also accommodate cars. Treadmills can also be used to exercise dogs that are accustomed to running on a conveyor; however, tying the leash to the treadmill should be avoided as it can cause serious injury.


===Underwater treadmill===
As it is basically a [[conveyor belt]], the treadmill can be used for activities other than running. If [[horse]]s are being tested (especially in jockey racing) they will be put on a specially constructed treadmill. Recently they were also the center piece of rock band [[Ok Go]]'s music video for their song "[[Here It Goes Again]]", which reached the Most Viewed position on [[YouTube]]. The video featured the band performing a dance routine on several treadmills.
[[File:Military working dog surgery 160126-F-IF848-133.jpg|thumb|left|Military working dog, walks on an underwater treadmill to recover from an injury]]
Underwater treadmills are a type of treadmill encased in glass or plastic and filled with water to a point where the occupant is partially submerged. They are used for both humans and animals, often for physical therapy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Underwater treadmill used for physical therapy|url=http://www.hastingstribune.com/underwater-treadmill-used-for-physical-therapy/article_a89acf3e-324f-11ea-89af-1b1cdf941996.html|last=Johnson|first=Jarad|website=Hastings Tribune|date=8 January 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>


Dog/pet and underwater pet treatment treadmills are available for both home and clinical use. A variety of makes and models are available, but key features of treadmills designed for pet use include a longer running surface, open front and back entries and side rails to prevent the pet from falling off the treadmill. None are designed to be used without human supervision. Many veterinary and animal rehabilitation clinics also offer underwater treadmill therapy as part of their services provided to clients' pets.
==Omnidirectional treadmill==

===Omnidirectional treadmill===
{{main|Omnidirectional treadmill}}
{{main|Omnidirectional treadmill}}


Advanced applications are so called omnidirectional treadmills. They are designed to move in two dimensions and are intended as the base for a "holodeck". There are several solutions which were proposed and research continues because some issues remain unsolved until now such as big size, silent and vibrationless.<ref>[http://www.amm.mw.tum.de/index.php?id=250 Cyberwalk]</ref><ref>[http://www.amm.mw.tum.de/index.php?id=251 Cybercarpet]</ref><ref>[http://www.vsd.bz/ Omni Directional Treadmill]</ref>
Advanced applications are so-called omnidirectional treadmills. They are designed to move in two dimensions and are intended as the base for a "[[holodeck]]". Several solutions have been proposed, but research continues as some issues remain unsolved, such as large size, noise and vibration. Parallel developments are being conducted by researchers working on projects sponsored by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to create virtual reality environments for a [[wheelchair trainer]] to promote therapeutic exercise.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/02/39/6/oconnor.html |title=Kinetic and physiological analysis of the GAMEWheels system |journal=[[Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development]] |volume=39 |number=6 |date=November–December 2002 |pages=627–634}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category|Treadmills}}
*[[Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics#Riding on treadmills and rollers|Bicycle riding on a treadmill]]
*[[Cardiac stress test]]
*[[Hamster wheel]]
*[[Naturmobil]]
*[[Treadmill with Vibration Isolation Stabilization]], a treadmill for use on board the International Space Station
*[[AlterG]] (Anti-Gravity Treadmill)
*[[Endless slope]] (training treadmill for skiers and snowboarders)
*[[Moving walkway|Travelator]]
*[[Conveyor belt]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
[[Category:Exercise equipment]]


* [https://caloriesdb.com/calories-burned-on-a-treadmill-with-incline-calculator/ Calories Burned on a Treadmill Calculator]
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Latest revision as of 21:28, 19 November 2024

For historic usage, see Treadwheel.
For other uses, see Treadmill (disambiguation).
Example of modern treadmill

A treadmill is a device generally used for walking, running, or climbing while staying in the same place. Treadmills were introduced before the development of powered machines to harness the power of animals or humans to do work, often a type of mill operated by a person or animal treading the steps of a treadwheel to grind grain. In later times, treadmills were used as punishment devices for people sentenced to hard labour in prisons. The terms treadmill and treadwheel were used interchangeably for the power and punishment mechanisms.

More recently, treadmills have instead been used as exercise machines for running or walking in one place. Rather than the user powering a mill, the device provides a moving platform with a wide conveyor belt driven by an electric motor or a flywheel. The belt moves to the rear, requiring the user to walk or run at a speed matching the belt. The rate at which the belt moves is the rate of walking or running. Thus, the speed of running may be controlled and measured. The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven (usually by an electric motor). The simpler, lighter, and less expensive versions passively resist the motion, moving only when walkers push the belt with their feet. The latter are known as manual treadmills.

Treadmills continue to be the biggest-selling exercise equipment category by a large margin. As a result, the treadmill industry has hundreds of manufacturers throughout the world.[1]

History

[edit]

William Staub, a mechanical engineer, developed the first consumer treadmill for home use.[2] Staub developed his treadmill after reading the 1968 book, Aerobics by Kenneth H. Cooper. Cooper's book noted that individuals who ran for eight minutes four to five times a week would be in better physical condition. Staub noticed that there were no affordable household treadmills at the time and decided to develop one for his use during the late 1960s.[3] He called his first treadmill the PaceMaster 600. Once finished, Staub sent his prototype treadmill to Cooper, who found the machine's first customers, including sellers of fitness equipment.[citation needed]

Staub began producing the first home treadmills at his plant in Clifton, New Jersey, before moving production to Little Falls, New Jersey.

Functions

[edit]

Use for power

[edit]
Human-powered treadmill for grinding grain
Horses powering a threshing mill

Treadmills as power sources originated in antiquity.[4] These ancient machines had three major types of design.[5] The first was a horizontal bar jutting out of a vertical shaft. It rotated around a vertical axis, driven by an ox or other animal walking in a circle and pushing the bar. Humans were also used to power these. The second design was a vertical wheel, a treadwheel, that was powered by climbing in place instead of walking in circles. This is similar to what we know today as the hamster wheel. The third design also required climbing but used a sloped, moving platform instead.

Treadmills as muscle-powered engines originated roughly 4000 years ago.[citation needed] Their primary use was to lift buckets of water. This same technology was later adapted to create rotary grain mills and the treadwheel crane. It was also used to pump water and power dough-kneading machines and bellows.

Use for punishment

[edit]
Main article: Penal treadmill
Treadmill used to punish prisoners at Breakwater Prison, Cape Town

Treadmills for punishment were introduced in 1818 by an English engineer named Sir William Cubitt, who was the son of a miller. Noting idle prisoners at Bury St Edmunds gaol, he proposed using their muscle power to both cure their idleness and produce useful work.[6]

Cubitt's treadmills for punishment usually rotated around a horizontal axis, requiring the user to step upwards, like walking up an endless staircase. Those punished walked around the outside of the wheel holding a horizontal handrail for stability. By the Prison Act of 1865 every male prisoner over 16, sentenced to hard labour, had to spend three months at least of his sentence in the labour of first class, which consisted primarily of the treadmill.[7]

Punishment treadmills remained in use until the second half of the 19th century; they were typically twenty-foot (0,6 m) long paddle wheels with twenty-four steps around a six-foot (1,82 m) cylinder. Several prisoners stood side-by-side on a wheel and had to work six or more hours a day, effectively climbing 5,000 to 14,000 vertical feet (1500 to 4000 m). While the purpose was mainly punitive, the most infamous mill at Brixton Prison was installed in 1821 and used to grind grain to supplement an existing windmill which Cubitt had previously installed nearby. It gained notoriety for the cruelty with which it was used, which then became a popular satirical metaphor for early-19th century prisons.

The machines could also pump water or power ventilators in mines.[8][9]

Use for exercise

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The first US patent for a treadmill "training machine" (#1,064,968) was issued on June 17, 1913.[10]

The forerunner of the exercise treadmill was designed to diagnose heart and lung diseases, and was invented by Robert Bruce and Wayne Quinton at the University of Washington in 1952.[11] Kenneth H. Cooper's research on the benefits of aerobic exercise, published in 1968, provided a medical argument to support the commercial development of the home treadmill and exercise bike.

Treadmill test at the medical center of the Olympic village at the 1980 Summer Olympics

Among users of treadmills today are medical facilities (hospitals, rehabilitation centers, medical and physiotherapy clinics, institutes of higher education), sports clubs, biomechanics institutes, orthopedic shoe shops, running shops, Olympic training centers, universities, fire-training centers, NASA, test facilities, police forces and armies, gyms and even home users.

Treadmill ergometers are now mainly motor driven. Most treadmills have a running deck with a rotating belt. Before and after the running deck, there are two shafts. The belt is stretched between the shafts and the running deck. Safety standards for treadmills are IEC EN 957-1 and IEC EN 957-6.

For medical treadmills applicable norms, standards and guidelines include the Medical Device Directive (MDD), European Guideline 93/42 EEC, European Guideline 2007/47 EEC, IEC EN 60601-1, EN 62304, EN 14971 and the machinery directive 2006/42/EC.

Medical treadmills are class IIb active therapeutic devices and also active devices for diagnosis. With their very powerful (e.g. 3.3 kW = 4.5  HP) electric motor-powered drive system, treadmills deliver mechanical energy to the human body through the moving running belt of the treadmill. The subject does not change their horizontal position and is passively moved and forced to catch up with the running belt underneath their feet. The subject can also be attached in a safety harness, unweighting system, various supports or even fixed in and moved with a robotic orthotic system utilizing the treadmill.

Medical treadmills are also active measuring devices. When connected through an interface with ECG, ergospirometry, blood pressure monitor (BPM), or EMG, they become a new medical system (e.g., stress test system or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation system) and can also be equipped to measure VO₂ max and various other vital functions.

Most treadmills have a "cardio mode", where a target heart rate is defined and the speed and elevation (load) are controlled automatically until the subject is in a "heart rate steady state". So the treadmill is delivering mechanical energy to the human body based on the vital function (heart rate) of the subject.

A medical treadmill used for ergometry and cardiopulmonary stress tests and performance diagnostics is always a class IIb medical device either when used as a stand-alone device in a medical environment or when used in connection with an ECG, EMG, ergospirometry, or blood pressure monitoring device.

NASA astronaut T.J. Creamer, Expedition 22 flight engineer, equipped with a bungee harness, exercises on the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station.

On the running deck the subject moves, adapting to the adjustable speed of the belt. The running deck is usually mounted on damping elements, so the running deck has shock-absorbing characteristics. A lifting element raises the entire frame including the running deck and simulates a pitch angle for uphill running. Some treadmills can also reverse the running belt to simulate downhill loads. Most treadmills for professional use in the fitness area have table sizes of about 150 cm (59 in) long and 50 cm (20 in) width, a speed range of about 0–20 km/h (0–12 mph) and slope angle of 0–20%.

Larger, more stable treadmills are required for athletes. With some weight relief, sprinters reach temporary speeds of up to 45 km/h (28 mph) and must therefore run on a large deck of up to 300 cm (120 in) in length and up to 100 cm (39 in) in width. With high physical exertion and an increased risk of falling, a fall-stop unit is required to prevent the subject or patient from falling. This fall-stop device usually takes the form of a safety arch to which a line is attached to an electrical switch. A harness bears the subject, preventing them from falling and shutting down the running belt if necessary.

Motorized or manual treadmills can use a slat belt design instead of a traditional continuous treadmill belt. Slat belt treadmills have individual rubberized slats that support shod or unshod walking and running.

In some offices, employees are provided with treadmill desks so that employees can walk while working on a computer or speaking on the phone.[12]

In treatment centers, treadmills are used with built-in seats left and right for therapists, for example, so the therapists can move the legs of a stroke patient to simulate walking movements and help them learn to walk again. This is called manual locomotion therapy.

Oversized treadmills are also used for cycling at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph), for wheelchair users and in special applications with sturdy running belts for cross-country skiing and biathlon, where athletes perform training and testing exercises with roller skis on a running deck of up to 450 cm × 300 cm (180 in × 120 in).

Advantages and disadvantages

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Advantages

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  • Enables the user to adhere to an indoor exercise regime irrespective of the weather.
  • Cushioned treadmill can provide slightly lower impact training than running on outdoor surfaces. Although cushioned belts have mostly been phased out and cushioned replacement belts may be hard to find, many treadmills have rubber or urethane deck elastomers (cushions) which are superior in cushioning and last longer than cushioned belts. For a time, banana-shaped flexible decks were available which were among the very best for cushioning and were priced at a mid-range level, but these are no longer being sold, perhaps because of the increased manufacturing cost of making flexible decks. Cushioned belts do not last as long as regular belts due to their construction from weaker materials. For calorie burning, incline can be used to significantly reduce impact for a given rate of energy use.
  • Incline setting can allow for consistent "uphill" training that is not possible when relying on natural features.
  • Rate settings force a consistent pace.
  • Some treadmills have programmes so that the user can simulate terrains, e.g. rolling hills, to provide accurate, programmed, exercise periods.
  • The user can watch TV while using the treadmill, thus avoiding sedentary TV viewing.
  • User progress such as distance, calories burned, and heart rate can be tracked.[citation needed]
  • Running backwards "uphill" may develop many antagonistic muscles otherwise ignored when running forward.
  • Running on a treadmill removes the worry about being a target of criminal activity, traffic, uneven terrain, and other outdoor hazards.

Disadvantages

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As a cardiovascular exercise:

  • Some treadmill runners develop poor running habits that become apparent when they return to outdoor running. In particular, a short, upright, bouncy gait may result from having no wind resistance and trying to avoid kicking the motor covering with the front of the foot.
  • Imposes a strict pace on runners, giving an unnatural feel to running which can cause a runner to lose balance.
  • Treadmill running is not specific to any sport, i.e., there is no competitive sport that utilizes treadmill running. For example, a competitive runner would be far better off running outdoors through space since it is more specific and realistic to their event.
  • There are differences in temporal and angular kinematics which should be considered when treadmills are used within a rehabilitation program.[13]

As an indoor activity:

  • Many users find treadmills monotonous and lose interest after a period.[14]
  • Treadmills do not offer the psychological satisfaction some runners get from running in new locations away from the distractions of home.
  • Neighbours may complain about noise from the treadmill (thumping and vibrations),[15] particularly neighbours downstairs in an apartment

As a machine:

  • May cause personal injury if not used properly. Of particular concern are children who reach into the treadmill belt while it is running and suffer severe friction burns that in the worst case may require multiple skin grafts and result in lasting disability.[16] When not in use, remove the safety key to prevent children from being injured by the treadmill belt.
  • Compared to running outside, the cost of purchase, electricity, and potential repairs are substantially higher.
  • Takes up space in homes.

Other uses

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Horse on a treadmill

As it is a conveyor belt, the treadmill can be used for activities other than running. If horses are being tested (especially in jockey racing) they will be put on a specially constructed treadmill. Large treadmills can also accommodate cars. Treadmills can also be used to exercise dogs that are accustomed to running on a conveyor; however, tying the leash to the treadmill should be avoided as it can cause serious injury.

Underwater treadmill

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Military working dog, walks on an underwater treadmill to recover from an injury

Underwater treadmills are a type of treadmill encased in glass or plastic and filled with water to a point where the occupant is partially submerged. They are used for both humans and animals, often for physical therapy.[17]

Dog/pet and underwater pet treatment treadmills are available for both home and clinical use. A variety of makes and models are available, but key features of treadmills designed for pet use include a longer running surface, open front and back entries and side rails to prevent the pet from falling off the treadmill. None are designed to be used without human supervision. Many veterinary and animal rehabilitation clinics also offer underwater treadmill therapy as part of their services provided to clients' pets.

Omnidirectional treadmill

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Main article: Omnidirectional treadmill

Advanced applications are so-called omnidirectional treadmills. They are designed to move in two dimensions and are intended as the base for a "holodeck". Several solutions have been proposed, but research continues as some issues remain unsolved, such as large size, noise and vibration. Parallel developments are being conducted by researchers working on projects sponsored by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to create virtual reality environments for a wheelchair trainer to promote therapeutic exercise.[18]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Treadmills.

References

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  1. ^ "Top Treadmill Manufacturers in the USA". www.thomasnet.com. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  2. ^ Douglas-Walton, Josh. "The History of the Treadmill". Health and Fitness Education. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Yardley, William (2012-07-28). "William Staub, Engineer Who Built an Affordable Treadmill, Dies at 96". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  4. ^ Major, Kenneth (1980). "The Pre-Industrial Sources of Power: Muscle Power". History Today. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  5. ^ "Histories and Precedents". University of Illinois at Chicago. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  6. ^ Cassie Arnold. "The Treadmill's Prison Origins". Mental Floss, Inc (USA). Retrieved 2013-06-12.
  7. ^  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Tread-mill". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 27 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 223.
  8. ^ Thompson, Irene (2008). The A-Z of punishment and torture. Book Guild Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-84624-203-8. Archived from the original on 2013-07-30.
  9. ^ Cleveland Holt, Thomas (1992). The problem of freedom: race, labour, and politics in Jamaica and Britain, 1832-1938. JHU Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8018-4291-7.
  10. ^ "Patent US1064968 - Training-machine. - Google Patents". Google.no. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  11. ^ Peyman, Brooke (March 31, 2011). "Can You Lose Stomach Fat On A Treadmill?". Livestrong.com. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  12. ^ Katz, Mandy (September 16, 2008). "I Put In 5 Miles at the Office". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  13. ^ Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Chatterley, Faye; Healy, Aoife C.; Greenhalgh, Andrew; Branthwaite, Helen R. (December 2012). "Comparison of Pelvic Complex Kinematics During Treadmill and Overground Walking". Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 93 (12): 2302–2308. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.10.022. PMID 22365476.
  14. ^ Luff, Christine (September 6, 2009). "How To Beat Boredom on the Treadmill". verywellfit. About.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  15. ^ Noise and Vibration Considerations During Gym or Fitness Club Design
  16. ^ Parker-Pope, Tara (May 27, 2009). "The Dangers of Treadmills". The New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  17. ^ Johnson, Jarad (8 January 2020). "Underwater treadmill used for physical therapy". Hastings Tribune. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  18. ^ "Kinetic and physiological analysis of the GAMEWheels system". Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development. 39 (6): 627–634. November–December 2002.
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