TIMES LIFE

A Supplement of Sunday Times of India, Mumbai / August 15, 2004

Page 1

The GYM / Whether we love them or hate them, treadmills are now an integral part of urban India's life. But with growing popularity comes growing concern. . . are they safe enough?

Priya Pathiyan treads the cautious curve

TREADING SAFE ?

* On April 23, 2004, US athlete Christopher Berrier was awarded $ 9 million compensation. Reason ? He had suffered multiple spinal injuries after being thrown from a treadmill that suddenly stopped while at a speed of 10 mph.

* Closer home, 31 year old Ruchika Nadkar from Pune, missed a lucrative assignment abroad after suffering a severe knee injury while jogging on the treadmill.

* Kolkata based housewife Sukanya Gupta is currently bed-ridden after treadmill-induced back strain.

* Forty three year of Ariz Calcuttawala from Bangalore has been advised to quit frequenting the treadmill because his heart is at risk.

It appears the calorie burning comfort zone of the treadmill can quickly turn into a danger zone if you haven't taken the right precautions.

Perhaps that's why fitness expert Leena Mogre, who head the Gold's Gym chain in India, stresses the importance of doing some sort of resistance training (which helps knee problems in the long run) before starting on the treadmill. "A recent survey confirms what I've seen that several people use the treadmill without strengthening the muscles that support the joints," she avers.

BEFORE GETTING ON TO TREADMILL

CHECK YOUR PHYSICAL STATUS

STRENGTHEN THE MUSCLES THAT SUPPORT JOINTS

Researchers report in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise that for the same reason that the aerobic benefits of walking and running may be greater on a treadmill, it may be that injury risk is also higher, as there is increased muscular demand on hip flexors and knee extensors. Plus, with a motorised belt beneath your feet - one misstep can jettison your body off the back of the treadmill at an amazing force and speed. Subsequently encounters with objects like walls, other equipment, or the floor can be devasting.

Cardiologist Dr. B. K. Goyal adds : "Working out on a treadmill gives a health heart good conditioning. But before you get on to a treadmill, it' imperative that you should get your physical status checked. Take ECG, blood sugar, cholesterol tests and a stress test in a controlled environment under a doctor's supervision. Especially after the age of 30, would be treadmill users are at risk from heart problems or silent coronary artery disease. It's extremely important to ascertain that your heart can take the stress before you jump on to that conveyor belt."

Nevertheless, provided you take the right precautions, your treadmill experience could be a smooth cakewalk. Literally

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