[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/alterg-anti-gravity-treadmill\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/alterg-anti-gravity-treadmill\/","headline":"How a NASA-Created Anti-Gravity Treadmill Improves Rehab","name":"How a NASA-Created Anti-Gravity Treadmill Improves Rehab","description":"Anti-gravity treadmills help patients exercise nearly weightlessly and pain-free, enhancing their rehabilitation experience. ","datePublished":"2017-03-03","dateModified":"2022-12-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_NASAREHAB.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_NASAREHAB.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/alterg-anti-gravity-treadmill\/","about":["Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":374,"keywords":["AlterG Treadmills","Anti-Gravity Treadmills","Centers for Rehab","Sports Rehab"],"articleBody":"As part of its de-weighted training services, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute offers anti-gravity treadmills for patients to exercise nearly weightlessly and pain-free, which enhances the rehabilitation experience.\u201cThe AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill\u00ae allows for early weight bearing on a patient with limited tolerance or restrictive weight bearing precautions,\u201d says Patrick Garvey, DPT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT, of UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.\u201cThis enables patients to begin earlier mobilization, range of motion and ambulation, in a precisely controlled way.\u201dFirst developed by NASA to help astronauts maintain fitness during space flight, the AlterG\u00ae uses positive air pressure technology to lift the patient off the ground and decrease their body weight by up to 80 percent. Patients with incisions or wounds can use it safely without infection risks.The AlterG\u00ae is an integral part of sports rehabilitation at the UPMC Rooney and Lemieux Sports Complexes, and is used as part of a patient\u2019s overall therapy program. Because of the anti-gravity components, post-operative and non-operative patients are able to work on balance and proprioception for walking and then progress toward running to help maintain cardiovascular and fitness levels.For more information on the AlterG\u00ae or to schedule an appointment, visit the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute\u00a0or call 1-888-723-4277.\u201cPatients can begin walking with as much as 80 percent of the load taken off their joints, and have that load gradually re-introduced over the course of their rehab,\u201d Garvey said. \u201cWe can also work with athletes who want to increase mileage or speed without injury.\u201dRELATED:\u00a0UPMC Centers for Rehab Services by the NumbersIn addition, the AlterG\u00ae is indicated for patients who have undergone lower-body joint replacements (i.e. total hip and knee) or who are impaired by degenerative joint disease or low-back pain.\u201cThe body\u2019s weight is removed from impacting upon these joints, but the patient still experiences a full range-of-motion workout,\u201d Garvey explained.Additionally, patients with poor balance or seniors, for example, are ideal candidates for the AlterG\u00ae. The equipment is suitable for all ages.\u201cSome segments of the population often hesitate or won\u2019t exercise because of a fear of falling,\u201d Garvey said. \u201cAnyone who wouldn\u2019t take normal step lengths due to fear can improve their confidence and gait pattern after several weeks using the AlterG\u00ae.\u201d\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How a NASA-Created Anti-Gravity Treadmill Improves Rehab","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/alterg-anti-gravity-treadmill\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]