For many runners, the most frustrating part of injury isn’t the pain—it’s the loss of momentum. Time off from training can erode cardiovascular fitness, disrupt biomechanics, and challenge motivation. But what if you didn’t have to stop running entirely?
At Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, we use the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill to help injured runners train smarter, not just rest longer. By reducing bodyweight and joint stress, the AlterG allows athletes to maintain fitness and safely reintroduce running—even while recovering.
What Is the AlterG?
The AlterG treadmill uses NASA-derived differential air pressure technology to unweight the body by up to 80%. This creates a controlled environment where runners can walk or run at a fraction of their bodyweight, significantly reducing the mechanical load on:
-
Knees
-
Hips
-
Ankles
-
Feet
-
Tendons and muscles
It’s not just about moving—it’s about moving without further injury.
Why Load Matters in Running Recovery
Most running injuries are caused or worsened by repetitive impact and mechanical overload. Examples include:
-
Stress fractures
-
Patellar or Achilles tendinopathy
-
IT band syndrome
-
Plantar fasciitis
-
Bone marrow edema
-
Meniscal irritation or early arthritis
Unweighting on the AlterG reduces ground reaction forces and joint compression, allowing athletes to run below their symptom threshold. This means:
- No flare-ups
- Earlier return to running
- Preservation of stride and running rhythm
Maintain Fitness Without Reinjury
One of the biggest advantages of the AlterG is the ability to keep up aerobic conditioning without excessive load. Athletes can perform steady-state cardio, intervals, or tempo runs—all while protecting the injured area.
Benefits include:
-
Preserved VO₂ max and endurance
-
Maintenance of running-specific neuromuscular patterns
-
Faster re-entry into full training
-
Better mental and emotional well-being during rehab
Instead of weeks of elliptical or pool running, the AlterG provides a real running experience with a fraction of the stress.
A Tool for Transition, Not Just Rehab
As runners improve, therapists can gradually increase loading in 1% increments to simulate return to full ground running. This helps rebuild tissue tolerance and reinforces proper biomechanics before hitting the roads or trails again.
The AlterG is also valuable for:
-
Post-surgical gait retraining
-
“Return-to-run” protocols
-
High-mileage athletes managing flare-ups or minor injuries
-
Aging athletes working around degenerative changes
Don’t Let Injury Stop You
Running doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With the AlterG treadmill, our team at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine, P.C. can help you train through injury, maintain your edge, and return stronger—without pushing through pain.
Book your AlterG running session today at our Lawrenceville office. Call or schedule online and keep your running journey moving forward.
