top of page
  • Writer's pictureLuke Nelson

Treadmill vs running outside: What’s the difference?

🏃Tackling treadmill myths & misconceptions🏃‍♀️⁣⁣

Critics of treadmill running will often claim that running on a treadmill messes with your running technique & creates “lazy muscles”💤⁣ Does it?


🙋‍♂️Do you move differently on a treadmill?

Largely not. There are some differences, but most kinematics (movement) & kinetics (forces) are similar. (Van Hooren 2019)


🙋‍♀️ Does treadmill running give you “lazy muscles”?

🔹Conflicting findings are reported on muscle activity.

🔹Some studies show lower muscle activity on treadmill, others no difference. (Van Hooren 2019)


🤨 Do you perform differently on a treadmill?

🔸Oxygen uptake, heart rate & perceived effort were similar, but blood lactate concentration was lower & preferred running speeds were slower than during overground running.

⁣🔸Endurance performance was poorer on a motorized treadmill than overground at submaximal speeds, but sprint performance varied considerably. (Miller 2019)


🔑Takeaway

Yes, there can be individual differences...But largely treadmill running & running outside are comparable!


👋 Runners, let us know your experiences between treadmill versus overground running!

.

.

.

.


📚References

  • Miller, J. R., et al. (2019). "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Crossover Studies Comparing Physiological, Perceptual and Performance Measures Between Treadmill and Overground Running." Sports Med 49(5): 763-782.

  • Van Hooren, B., et al. (2020). "Is Motorized Treadmill Running Biomechanically Comparable to Overground Running? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Over Studies." Sports Med 50(4): 785-813.

50 views

Recent Posts

See All

THE PRACTICE

437 Belmore Rd

Mont Albert North VIC 3129

Email: info@healthhp.com.au

Tel: 03 9857 3143

Opening Hours:

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 7 pm 

​​Saturday: 8 am - 12:30 pm ​

Sunday: Closed

  • Instagram - White Circle
  • Facebook - White Circle
  • YouTube - White Circle
  • LinkedIn - White Circle
RECEIVE OUR MONTHLY TIPS & ADVICE

Thanks for submitting!

© 2024 by Health & High Performance

bottom of page