Alter-G for Runners - Move Clinics

ALTER-G TREADMILL for runners

One of the most important developments in lower limb injury
prevention and treatment. The alter-g allows training through injury,
increasingly functional recovery and pain free running for people
who otherwise experience pain with high impact exercise.
The unique technology allows you to run or perform static exercises
at precisely controlled percentages of your body weight between
20-100%, so you can dial in exactly where the pain stops and
movement feels good again.

Using the alter-g helps our patients recover better and have a
smooth more rapid return to activity while athletes of all levels are
adding Alter-g sessions to enhance existing programs to reduce the
frequency of training injuries, controlling stress on their joints and
dramatically increasing fitness.

Some of the practical uses of the Alter-G trainer are-

Over Speed Training

Traditionally, over-speed training is performed using elastic bands
or pulley systems which can only be used over short distances and
have a number of safety issues. The alter-g trainer is capable of high

speeds (30km/h) which is more than enough to push most athletes beyond what they are otherwise capable of.
Over-speed is performed at reduced percentage of body weight which allows an increased turn over, reduced joint
stress and allows effective technique correction to improve control and form at high speed. This high speed running
causes an increased rate of firing of motor nerves and increased rate of activation at the neuromuscular junction,
teaching the brain and body how to run faster.

Interval Training

Quality intervals can be done at normal load (100%) while recoveries are performed at reduced load rather than
reduced pace or rest. This provides an increased training stimulus on the neuromuscular system over extended
periods at a much higher average pace. This clearly increases the quality of interval sessions helping to develop
the all important speed endurance.

High volume training

High volume training is recognised as an important method of developing the necessary endurance to be
competitive in the distance events. By reducing the percentage of body weight, you are reducing the joint stress,
bone and connective tissue loading which is the main danger of high volume training programs as it leads to
degeneration of the tissue. Reducing the load by 10% can allow you to increase your volumes by 10%,
This is especially useful in developing training volumes in athletes who have poor biomechanics and are prone to
overuse injuries.

Leading up to the spring marathon season, training volumes are regularly increased more quickly than
recommended, leading to the large increase in running related injuries in the early months of the year. Now we can
help you to safely get to the necessary mileage with much less risk.

Rehab

Athletes no longer need to rest from training due to injury. Using the alter-g trainer you can reduce your loading to a
pain free level, as low as 20%, and continue training. This has the benefit of preventing loss of fitness, maintaining
normal movement patterns, allows correction of running technique at normal speeds and a progressive increase in
load as healing progresses and strength increases.
Following surgery the alter-g trainer allows early mobilisation with objective, reproducible and progressive loads in
accordance with consultant instructions. This prevents the problems associated with immobilisation and allows a far
more functional program during periods of partial weight bearing.

Long Term/Frequently Injured Athletes

Retrograde Running (going backwards)

Poorly functioning glutes and tightness through the hip flexors and ITB have always been a problem in the
sedentary office workers and athletic populations. Backwards running gets talked about often as a useful training
technique and it does appear to be effective in retraining function in the extensors (the glutes, hamstrings and
muscles of the back) which work to improve stability of the hip, pelvis and lumbar spine. This often appears briefly
during dynamic warm-ups. The alter-g trainer is capable of high reverse speeds (20km/h) in a safe environment
which now makes retrograde running a viable training and rehab technique.

Heavy Athletes or Just Heavy

Many people chose running as a convenient and effective means of controlling weight but many heavy people
experience pain with weight bearing exercise so it becomes difficult to lose weight and a viscous cycle of inactivity
and increasing weight develops.
The alter-g trainer's ability to reduce load and joint stress allows exercises at appropriate intensities and sufficient
volumes to increase cardiovascular fitness, burn energy and lose weight without the pain. Then you can get off the
machine and return to normal exercise sooner.
The machine is capable of carrying up to 182kg.

Older Athletes

Older athletes are more prone to overuse injury as collagen stiffens and bone density reduces. The alter-g can
supplement current training to reduce overall compressive loading while also maintaining technique and range of
movement with the goal of improving the running experience through reducing pain and prolonging time in the
sport.