Walking and running on a treadmill offer numerous benefits including improved aerobic fitness, muscular endurance in the lower body, and, if combined with a reduced calorie diet, weight loss. Treadmills offer a safe and effective alternative to walking and running outdoors and remove the worry of traffic, pollution and bad weather. Despite the benefits of working out on a treadmill, there are some contraindications to treadmill use.
Extreme Body Weight
Being very heavy can put a tremendous strain on your load bearing joints--your ankles, knees, hips and spine. Using a treadmill if you are very overweight can be injurious to these joints. If you are severely overweight, non-impact exercise such as swimming may be more suitable and less stressful for your joints.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition which affects your weight bearing joints. The protective layer of hyaline cartilage that protects the ends of your bones wears away and bone then rubs against bone. This can be very painful and can also result in joint dysfunction. If you suffer from osteoarthritis in your ankles, knees or hips, running on a treadmill is likely to aggravate your condition and is best avoided.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease where bones weaken and become more prone to fracture. This condition is most common in the hips, spine and wrists. Because of the risk of falling and the impact transmitted through the hips and spine when running, there is a risk of suffering a fracture when using a treadmill. Running is often prescribed as a measure to avoid developing osteoporosis, but should be avoided if there has been a positive diagnosis.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are hairline cracks which are generally caused by repeated and prolonged impacts. Common in long distance runners, stress fractures can become full blown fractures if not allowed to recover. The impact associated with walking or running on a treadmill may stop a stress fracture from healing or cause it to get worse. Low impact exercise such as cycling, swimming or rowing is a more appropriate form of workout if you have been diagnosed as having a stress fracture.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy or nerve damage can be caused by traumatic injury as well as numerous diseases, including diabetes. Sufferers of nerve damage may lose sensation and fine control in their limbs. If you suffer from neuropathy in your feet, there is an increased danger of suffering from lower limb injuries while working out as your sense of balance, sensation and foot position may be impaired. You can minimize these risks by walking instead of running when using a treadmill, or you can opt to use low impact exercises such as cross trainers, bikes and rowing machines instead.
Weakened Pelvic Floor Muscles
Your pelvic floor muscles form a figure eight “hammock” which supports your pelvic organs. The pelvic floor can become weakened after childbirth, some surgeries and with aging. If you have a weak pelvic floor, the impact associated with running on a treadmill can put a lot of strain on these muscles and this could result in stress incontinence, or involuntary urination. Low impact workouts are preferable if you have a weak pelvic floor.
References
- "ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer"; American College of Sports Medicine; 2009
- "Exercise for Heart and Health"; Barbara J. Fletcher, MD, FACC, FAHA Gerald F. Fletcher, MD, FACD, FACC John D. Cantwell, and DO John Presotti; 2008
- "High-Performance Sports Conditioning"; Bill Faran; 2001
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