Alter-G: Anti-Gravity Treadmill Training

The Alter-G is an anti-gravity treadmill that uses air-pressure technology to reduce a patient's effective body weight during walking or running, making movement possible and comfortable earlier in rehabilitation.

How It Works

The patient wears special shorts and is enclosed from the waist down in an air-pressure chamber over the treadmill. By precisely increasing the air pressure, the system can offload a large proportion of body weight — supporting the patient so they can move with less pain and impact while keeping a natural walking pattern.

Why It Helps

Reducing body weight allows patients to start walking sooner after injury or surgery, practise a correct gait pattern, and build strength and confidence without overloading healing joints, muscles or the nervous system. It is valuable in neurological rehabilitation (such as after stroke), orthopaedic recovery (such as after joint replacement) and sports rehabilitation.

In a Rehabilitation Programme

Body-weight support is adjusted as the patient improves, gradually increasing the load until they are walking at full weight. Because it makes practice safe, comfortable and repeatable, the Alter-G helps patients regain mobility and endurance as part of a comprehensive, individualised rehabilitation programme.