Treadmill
Treadmill is an indoor sporting tool used to allow for running without moving any distances.
The principal is a belt system (a motor driving a circular run of material) - the top of the belt moving 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 (the rate at which the belt moves is the rate at which the runner moves - unless they wish to fall off).
Benefits
- Remain at the same location for the duration of the run
- Equal ground for the duration of the run
- Known speeds at all times of the run
- Allows for exact adjustment of various factors (gradient and speed)
- As all factors of the run are known, the exact energy expended may be calculated
Non-Running Treadmills
As the treadmill is basically a conveyor belt things other than running may be performed. When professional cyclists are tested they will use their own bikes (instead of a bike machine) on a treadmill). If horses are being tested (especially in jockey racing) they will be put on a specially constructed treadmill.
