TREADMILL INCLUDING SELECTABLE OPERATING MODES AND RELATED METHODS

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 63/661,999 filed on Jun. 20, 2024, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to the field of exercise equipment, and, more particularly, to treadmills and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Exercise equipment may be used to facilitate or enhance physical activity. Exercise equipment may include devices of different forms, for example, static weights, powered or static machines or devices to assist in a particular physical activity, or wearable devices, to name a few.

One particular type of exercise equipment is a treadmill. A treadmill is a device generally used for walking, running, or climbing while staying in the same place. A treadmill includes a moving belt driven by an electric motor and/or flywheel. The belt moves to the rear so that the user walks or runs at a speed matching the belt. The speed is typically controllable by controlling speed of the motor or the user's motion.

A pattern of movement of limbs may generally be referred to as gait. Gaits are generally classed as “symmetrical” and “asymmetrical” based on limb movement. For a human, a gait may be the way a human moves. Various gaits may be characterized by differences in limb movement patterns and changes in contact with the ground. A disturbance in limb movement patterns generally manifests itself with increased gait variability and asymmetry, leading to compensation.

SUMMARY

A treadmill may include a frame, a deck carried by the frame, and a belt movable over the deck to provide a moving contact surface for feet of a user. The treadmill may also include a handrail carried by the frame to be grasped by the user. The treadmill may further include a belt drive arrangement carried by the frame and coupled to the belt, the belt drive arrangement operable in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes. The operating modes may include a set pace mode with the speed of the belt set to a fixed pace, and a freewheel mode with the belt operationally decoupled from the belt drive arrangement. The operating modes may also include a sled push mode with selectable resistance provided to the belt as the user pushes against the handrail.

The operating modes may include a protocol mode with the speed of the belt set based upon a user-program associated with the user. The operating modes may include an adaptive protocol mode with the speed of the belt set based upon a user-program associated with the user and a plurality of sensors obtaining data associated with user during operation of the treadmill, for example.

The treadmill may include a controller coupled to the belt drive arrangement. The controller may be configured to wirelessly obtain user identification data for each user of a plurality of users, for example. The controller may be configured to collect performance data associated with each user of the plurality of users, for example.

The treadmill may include a vertical drive arrangement configured to selectively raise and lower a forward end of the deck. The belt drive arrangement may include a motor and a flywheel coupled thereto, for example. The treadmill may include a respective foot landing pad on the deck on each opposite side of the belt.

The treadmill may include a user gait sensing arrangement carried by the deck. The user gait sensing arrangement may include a first series of optical emitters carried by the deck along a first side of the belt, and a second series of optical receivers carried by the deck along a second side of the belt, for example. The first series of optical emitters and second series of optical receivers may be substantially flush with adjacent portions of the deck.

A method aspect is directed to a method for operating a treadmill that includes a frame, a deck carried by the frame, a belt movable over the deck and configured to provide a moving contact surface for feet of a user, a handrail carried by the frame and configured to be grasped by the user, and a belt drive arrangement carried by the frame and coupled to the belt. The method may include selectively configuring the drive arrangement to operate in one of a plurality of operating modes. The operating modes may include a set pace mode with the speed of the belt set to a fixed pace, and a freewheel mode with the belt operationally decoupled from the belt drive arrangement. The operating modes may also include a sled push mode with selectable resistance provided to the belt as the user pushes against the handrail.

The operating modes may include a protocol mode with the speed of the belt set based upon a user-program associated with the user. The operating modes may include an adaptive protocol mode with the speed of the belt set based upon a user-program associated with the user and a plurality of sensors obtaining data associated with user during operation of the treadmill, for example.

The method may include wirelessly obtaining user identification data for each user of a plurality of users. The method may also include collecting performance data associated with each user of the plurality of users, for example. The method may also include operating a vertical drive arrangement to selectively raise and lower a forward end of the deck.

The method may further include sensing a gait of the user. Sensing the gait of the user may include operating a first series of optical emitters carried by the deck along a first side of the belt, and operating a second series of optical receivers carried by the deck along a second side of the belt, for example. The first series of optical emitters and second series of optical receivers may be substantially flush with adjacent portions of the deck, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the treadmill in FIG. 1 in an incline position.

FIG. 3 is a partial cut away perspective view of the treadmill in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cut away view of the rear portion of the treadmill in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial cut away side view of the treadmill in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a belt drive arrangement of the treadmill of FIG. 1

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a motor and flywheel of the belt drive arrangement of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vertical drive arrangement of the treadmill of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged portion of the vertical drive arrangement of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of the operating modes of the treadmill of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a treadmill in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of the user gait sensing arrangement of the treadmill of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a treadmill in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a treadmill in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, a treadmill 20 illustratively includes a frame 21, and more particularly a running deck frame 21a and a lift frame 21b. The frame 21 may be metal, for example, steel. The frame 21 may be another type of material or combination of materials as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, for example, carbon fiber for increased strength. The frame 21 may be modular, for example, to enable relatively quick assembly and adaptation. The frame 21 may be about 120 inches long by about 48 inches wide by 60 inches high, for example. Of course, the frame 21 may include other dimensions.

The treadmill 20 also includes a deck 22 carried by the frame 21, and more particularly, the running deck frame 21a. The deck 22, and consequently the running deck frame 21a, for example, may be sized, for example, in terms of length, to accommodate a person, such as an athlete, running in stride. An exemplary length of the deck 22 may be 2-meters or about 72 inches.

A belt 23 is movable over the deck 22 to provide a moving contact surface for feet of a user. The belt 23 may be rubber and may include fiber elements, such as for example, polyester. An exemplary belt 23 may be polyester with rubber compounds. The belt 23 may include treads or a tread pattern to engage footwear of the user, for example.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 3-5, the belt 23 illustratively surrounds front and rear rollers 72 respectively at the front and rear ends of the belt 23. The rollers 72 may be steel rollers, for example, and may be balanced, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The rollers 72 may be coupled to the running deck frame 21a via mounting brackets. In an embodiment, one of the rollers 72 may be fixed (e.g., the front roller), while the other roller may be adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the frame 21 to permit tension to be added to the belt 23 as may be desirable as the belt may stretch over time.

To aid in the control of the belt 23, for example, to maintain the belt in a relative center position during use, the rollers 72 may have a crowned shaped built into its outer shell. For additional control, for example, for increased transverse side loading of the belt 23, additional or side rollers 73 may be used on the sides of the belt adjacent the front and back ends. The side rollers 73 may be in the form of stainless steel shells with roller bearings angled at greater than 20-degrees, for example, to contact the lower side of the belt 23. When a relatively large transverse load is applied to the belt 23 during operation, the belt may tend to slide side to the side and contact the side rollers 73. The side rollers 73 may provide a centering side force back onto the belt 23 while allowing relatively low friction forward or reverse motion of the belt. Other and/or additional roller arrangements may be used to address forces on the belt 23.

A portion of the deck 22 may define a running deck 22a and may include or be in the form of a multi-layer wood laminate with a relatively low friction eucalyptus hard wood composite on the top and bottom surfaces, for example. The outer surface of eucalyptus hard wood composite offers unique properties that allow for lower friction and longer life. Other deck 22 materials may be used.

The running deck 22a is illustratively held into position at the rear end using two anchor support brackets 74 which are attached to the running deck frame 21a on both sides. Other and/or additional supports may be used. Along the length of the belt 23 or running deck 22a, additional running deck supports 75 are placed may be positioned at specific locations along the running deck frame 21a. The running deck supports 75 may include a bracket and a rubber polymer having a specific durometer. The durometer of the rubber bumper and location of the support brackets may be particularly advantageous for providing a relatively soft but firm user feedback on the moving contact surface 24.

A handrail 25 is carried by the frame 21, and more particularly, the running deck frame 21a. The handrail 25 is to be gripped by the user. For example, the handrail 25 may be gripped by the user for increased balance. The height of the handrail 25 may be about 60 inches from the ground at about a 0° incline and be raised to about 80 inches above the ground at about a 45° incline. Of course, the handrail 25 may have a different relative height and may be adjustable, either from the ground or from the deck 22, for example, to accommodate users of different sizes. For example, in an embodiment, the handrail 25 may be adjusted by removing locking pins and rotating it 360-degrees until the desired height or location of from the moving contact surface 24 is achieved.

A foot landing pad 27, which may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a side running board, is on the deck 22 on each opposite side of the belt 23. Each foot landing pad 27 may be in the form of a grip (e.g., grip tape) or other material for providing increased friction with the user's foot or shoe. During operation, the user may move from walking or running to a stationary position by placing his or her feet on the foot landing pads 27 without stopping operation of the belt 23. In other words, the user straddles the belt when the user's feet are on each foot landing pad 27. The foot landing pads 27 may provide increased stability while the user moves between active and stationary positions during operation of the belt 23.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 6 and 7, a belt drive arrangement 30 is carried by the frame 21. The belt drive arrangement 30 is also coupled to the belt 23. Illustratively, the belt drive arrangement 30 includes a motor 31 and a flywheel 32 coupled to the motor. The motor 31 may be in the form of a 3-phase, 5 hp motor. More particularly, single phase 240 VAC may be supplied to the treadmill 20, and converted to 3-phase via a variable frequency drive (VFD), which in turn, drives the motor 31. The motor 31 may have a power rating of about 5 HP, for example. Of course, the motor 31 may have another power rating. The flywheel 32 may be relatively weighty, for example, 50-55 lbs, and may be directly coupled to the motor 31 via a vibration isolating coupler, for example. A motor shaft 36 may pass through bearings 35 and carry the flywheel 32. The weight and direct-to-motor coupling of the flywheel 32 may be desirable to overcome friction that may be caused by the user when impacting the belt 23 or moving contact surface 24, and the deck 22. In some embodiments, a flywheel 32 may not be used and/or may have a different coupling arrangement. The motor 31 and flywheel 32 may cooperate to move the belt 23 in a range from about 0-40 mph both forward and in reverse. An internal belt 33 may be coupled to the flywheel 32 to drive the belt 23.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 8-9, a vertical drive arrangement 40 is illustratively carried by the frame 21. The vertical drive arrangement 40 selectively raises and lowers a forward end 26 of the deck 22, or running deck frame 21a. More particularly, the vertical drive arrangement 40 includes a motor 41 coupled to a gear train 42 via a drive shaft 43a. Drive shafts 43a, 43b are coupled to the gear train 42 and to gear arrangements that each drives a respective deck coupling body 45 along a jack screw 46 carried by a respective lifter arm 44 of the frame 21, or more particularly, lifter frame 21b. In other words, operation of the motor 41 causes the deck coupling bodies 45 to move along the jack screws 46 to vertically raise and lower the forward end 26 of the running deck frame 21a and deck 22 (i.e., move the deck to and from an inclined position). A flanged mounted bearing may be used with the coupling body 45 to permit rotation, misalignment, and relatively small amounts of side-to-side movement. The motor 41 may be in the form of a 3-phase 1 hp motor. More particularly, single phase 240 VAC may be supplied to the treadmill 20, and converted to 3-phase via a variable frequency drive (VFD), which in turn drive the 3-phase motor 41. The motor 41 may have a power rating of about 1 hp, for example. Of course, the motor 41 may have another power rating.

The rear end 28 of the deck 22 includes a wheel 29 that permits the rear end of the deck to move as the front end 26 is raised and lowered. The above-described arrangement may be particularly advantageous for providing increased stability and incline speed change, for example. In some embodiments, the treadmill 20 may not include a vertical drive arrangement 40, and thus may not incline. In other embodiments, the frame 21 (i.e., the running deck frame 21a and the lift frame 21b) may be configured to allow for negative incline if desired by the user.

Referring additionally to FIG. 10, a controller 39 may be carried by the frame 21, for example, the running deck frame 21a. The controller 39 includes circuitry to perform the operations described herein. The controller 39 may be coupled to the belt drive arrangement 30. The controller 39 may operate the belt drive arrangement 30, for example, in conjunction with the vertical drive arrangement 40, in any one of a number of operating modes 34. The operating modes may include a set pace mode 34a, which may be considered by those skilled in the art as a normal manual mode. During the set pace mode 34a, the speed of the belt 23 is set to a fixed pace. During the set pace mode 34a, the vertical drive arrangement 40 may be operated to set the incline of the deck 22 or running deck frame 21a to a fixed incline. The fixed pace or speed and/or the incline may be user-settable, for example, via the controller 39 or an input device (e.g., in the form of touchscreen display 38).

The touchscreen display 38 may be coupled to or carried by the frame 21. While a touchscreen display 38 is illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the touchscreen display may not include touch input functionality. In some embodiments, the speed of the belt 23 may be controlled remotely or wirelessly. (e.g., from a remote device) via wireless communications circuitry coupled to the controller 39.

The controller 39 may operate the belt drive arrangement 30 in a freewheel mode 34b with the belt 23 operationally decoupled from the belt drive arrangement. The freewheel mode 34b may conceptually be considered non-motorized mode. By operationally decoupled, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the belt 23 may be electrically (e.g., remove power from/deenergize the motor 31) and/or mechanically decoupled from the belt drive arrangement 30 (e.g., release a clutch, remove an engagement pin). The freewheel mode 34b may be considered operating the belt drive arrangement in “neutral”. However, during the freewheel mode 34b, the belt 23 remains coupled to the flywheel 32 and any driving mechanisms, but no power is provided to the motor 31. The user drives belt 23 up to a desired speed using their own power, which spins the flywheel 32 and drive system. During the freewheel mode 34b, it may be possible to reach speeds of up to 40 mph, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the speed may be limited by the user's ability to drive the belt 23 and flywheel 32.

The controller 39 may also operate the belt drive arrangement 30 in a sled push mode 34c with selectable resistance provided to the belt 23 (e.g., as the user pushes against the handrail 25). More particularly, the sled push mode 34c, the belt 23 may be operated with preselected levels of resistive braking applied to the motor 31. The level of resistance may be selected via the touch screen display 35. During operation, for example, when the user pushing the belt 23, the belt drive arrangement 30 provides braking resistance at the selected level. As the resistance increases, the user may use the handrail 25 to provide additional support to drive more force into the belt 23 (i.e., sled push). These operations in the sled push mode 34c may conceptually be considered a resistive braking mode. The 3-phase VEDs may control operations during this sled push mode 34c.

As part of the sled push mode 34c, the controller 39 may also apply relatively precise levels of resistive braking to the motor 31, for example, via a directed current (DC) power controller. The DC control may permit relatively smooth and precise levels of resistance to be applied. Accordingly, the use of the sled push mode 34c in this way to provide the relatively precise levels of resistive braking, may conceptually be considered to be operation of in dynamometer mode or “dyno” mode in that the motor 31 is engaged and acts to provide braking or resistance that can be controlled. Additionally, the controller 39 may cooperate to determine an amount of force that is being exerted by the user as they push the belt 23.

The controller 39 may also operate the belt drive arrangement 30 in a protocol mode 34d with the speed of the belt 23 set based upon a user-program associated with the user. More particularly, the controller 39 may operate the belt drive arrangement 30 according to protocols within application software. The protocols may operate based upon predetermined speed and incline settings that are defined for the user (e.g., other users as the case may be). The predetermined speed and incline settings may be defined for specific users and specific weeks, days, and sessions of training as part of, for example, multi-level 8-week periodized speed development protocols. The controller 39 may automatically control incline and speed per the protocols in the software via touchscreen display 35. Elevation or inclination angle (up/down) and speed (up/down) control via the touchscreen display 35 may still provide for manual adjustment.

The controller 39 may also operate the belt drive arrangement 30 in an adaptive protocol mode 34e with the speed of the belt 23 set based upon a user-program associated with the user and a plurality of sensors 77 obtaining sensor data associated with user during operation of the treadmill 20. More particularly, protocols within application software have predetermined speed and incline settings defined for specific users and specific weeks, days, and sessions of training as part of the multi-level 8-week periodized speed development protocols. The protocols may be automatically adjusted by adaptive software based on user inputs from previous session performance metrics. The controller 39 may automatically control incline and speed per the protocols in the software via touchscreen display 35. Elevation or inclination angle (up/down) and speed (up/down) control via the touchscreen display 35 may still provide for manual adjustment. The sensors 77 may include cameras, for example, mounted to the frame 21. The cameras 77 may capture video data of specific users running on the treadmill 20 from several angles in any of the modes described herein to sync with their incline and speed metrics for upload to their specific user profiles.

In an embodiment, the controller 39 may operate a machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that accepts as input thereto, the video data from the cameras 77 (or other sensors) while a user is operating the treadmill 20. The controller 39 may operate the AI algorithm to identify or analyze movement mechanics of the user while operating the treadmill 20. The AI algorithm may generate, as output, control parameters for adjustment of the protocols, for example, for enhanced training and pre-injury detection and/or prevention. In other words, if the cameras 77 detect a user is wincing during a stride, the operation of the belt drive arrangement 30 may be adjusted to reduce the chances of further injury, and the controller 39 alter the protocols for that user for the same reasons. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other and/or additional sensors 77 may include user biometric sensors, gait sensors (as described in further detail below), force sensors, etc.

In an embodiment, the controller 39 (e.g., via the display 38 and software executed by the controller) may provide user management and data processing functions. For example, the controller 39 may cooperate with wireless communications circuitry (e.g., Near-Field Communication (NFC), RFID, Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, etc.) to obtain user identification data 36 for each user from among different users and retrieve or store user profiles. The user identification data 36 may include a unique user identifier, for example, a number, username, etc. The controller 39 may track the activities of different users based upon the user identification data 36. In some embodiments, the users may be identified based upon manual entry of a user identifier associated with the user at the touchscreen display 38. Other types of data associated with the user may be associated with the profile data.

The controller 39 may also collect, determine, and/or calculate performance data 37 associated with each user. Performance data 37 may include selected operating mode 34, corresponding times, durations, speeds, incline angle, biometric data (e.g., when biometric sensors and/or biometric data are used), health data, caloric burn rates, and/or force data (e.g., in sled push mode). Of course, the performance data 37 may include other and/or additional types of data, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The controller 39 may cooperate with the touchscreen display 38 to display the performance data 37, for example, in real time. The controller 39 may also display treadmill settings, for example, incline angle and/or operating mode 34. The controller 39 may cooperate with the touchscreen display 38 or other input device to operate the vertical drive arrangement to selectively raise and lower the forward end 26 of the deck 22 (i.e., set the incline).

Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, in another embodiment, the treadmill 20′ may be particularly advantageous for gait sensing, processing, and analysis. The treadmill 20′ illustratively includes a user gait sensing arrangement 50′ carried by the deck 22′, for example, and supported by the running deck frame 21a′. More particularly, the gait sensing arrangement 50′ illustratively includes a first series of optical emitters 51′ carried by the deck 22′ along a first side of the belt 23′. The first series of optical emitters 51′ may be light emitting diode (LED) emitters, for example. The first series of optical emitters 51′ may be another type of optical receiver, for example, an infrared (IR) receiver.

The first series of optical emitters 51′ may be embedded, at least partially within the deck 22′ (e.g., underneath side running boards) along the first side of the belt 23′ so that the first series of optical emitters are substantially flush with adjacent portions of the deck. For example, the first series of optical emitters 51′ may be raised by about 900 microns relative to the belt. Of course, the first series of optical emitters 51′ may be raised by a different relative measurement and/or may not be embedded.

The gait sensing arrangement 50′ also illustratively includes a second series of optical receivers 52′ carried by the deck 22′ along a first side of the belt 23′. The second series of optical receivers 52′ may be LED receivers, for example. The second series of optical receivers 52′ may be another type of optical receivers, for example, IR receivers.

Similarly to the first series of optical emitters 51′, the second series of optical receivers 52′ may be embedded, at least partially within the deck 22′ (e.g., partially underneath side running boards) along the first side of the belt 23′ so that the first series of optical emitters are substantially flush with adjacent portions of the deck. For example, the second series of optical receivers 52′ may be raised by about 900 microns relative to the belt 23′. Of course, the second series of optical receivers 52′ may be raised by a different relative measurement and/or may not be embedded. In an exemplary embodiment there may be about 1000 first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′ that provide sensing for gait analysis of a user's stride. About 1000 first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′ generally corresponds to a length of about 2 meters, for example, for sensing of a full stride of a user or athlete. To achieve a 2-meter length, a splitter/joiner 53′ may be included as part of the user gait sensing arrangement 50′. If longer lengths may be desired, additional splitters/joiners 53′ may be used to couple lengths of the first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, mounting the first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′ to a top surface of the deck 22′, for example, via an adhesive material layer, may be undesirable. A “taped” or surface mount variation of the first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′ may not fully support relatively heavy users with a desirable level of accuracy, particularly during running and/or on an incline.

The controller 39′ may obtain gait sensor data 55′, based upon or from the first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′. Using the gait sensor data 55′, the controller 39′ may collect and display the performance data 37′ to also include gait analysis data based upon the optical emitters and receivers. For example, gait analysis data may be displayed (e.g., in real time) on the touchscreen display 38′ and/or a separate display adjacent the treadmill. In an embodiment, the performance data 37′ including the gait analysis data, may be communicated, for example, wirelessly, to a remote device for processing. Elements illustrated, but not specifically described are similar to the elements described in the above embodiments. More particularly, the lifter arm 44′, forward end 26′, frame 21′, drive arrangement 40′, jack screw 46′, handrail 25′, foot landing pad 27′, wheel 29′, and rear end 28′ are similar to the lifter arm 44, forward end 26, frame 21, drive arrangement 40, jack screw 46, handrail 25, foot landing pad 27, wheel 29, and rear end 28, respectively.

Referring now briefly to FIG. 13, in another embodiment, the treadmill 20″ may include an overhead user-harness support 60″. Illustratively, the overhead user-harness support 60″ is coupled to the frame 21″ so that it extends over the user's head. The overhead user-harness support 60″ provides a coupling point for a user wearing a harness, for example, the harness may attach thereto. The overhead user-harness support 60″, when used with a harness may provide additional support for a user during operation. For example, should a user slip, begin a fall, or otherwise be unable to continue usage, the user would simply be suspended from the from the overhead user-harness support 60″ via their harness. Elements illustrated, but not specifically described are similar to the elements described in the above embodiments. More particularly, the lifter arm 44″, jack screw 46″, handrail 25″, wheel 29″, deck 22″, display 35″ and belt 23″ are similar to the lifter arm 44, jack screw 46, handrail 25, wheel 29, deck 22, display 35, and belt 23, respectively.

The treadmill 20′ described herein may be particularly advantageous for training of relatively large athletes, for example, and/or detecting an injury. For example, by employing the user gait sensing arrangement 50′, as described herein, a given user may develop a better synchronization or stride symmetry. For example, a typical college athlete has asymmetry of about 1.5% while a professional athlete may have an asymmetry of about 0.58. For reference, an asymmetry of about 8% is indicative of an injury. This is because an injured person or user tends to favor a foot or leg and this will show up in timing as an asymmetry. If for example, there is no injury, but a higher than desirable asymmetry, the treadmill 20′ described herein may show the asymmetry in real time and show corrective actions. Thus, the treadmill 20′ may be particularly advantageous for high-level athletic training and injury detection based upon a full stride, the full stride detection of which being based upon the length of the first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′ as described herein. Moreover, the different operating modes 34 may provide multiple training programs that can be customized on a per-user basis, for example.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 13, in another embodiment, the treadmill 20′″ may be fitted with a rear harness support 60′″ illustratively in the form of a rear bar mount. The rear harness support 60′″ is illustratively mounted adjacent the rear end 28′″ of the frame 21′″, and more particularly, the running deck frame 21a′″ and used to tether the athlete to the treadmill 20′″ allowing various methods of resistance to be applied to the center of mass via a vest/harness. This may advantageously permit the user nearly complete freedom of their hands/arms to swing as they would normally in acceleration phases of the run cycle, instead of being restricted by having to hold onto a front handlebar (e.g., sled push). The methods of resistance include static tethering and dynamic tethering, where the levels of resistance can be varied using elastic bands and electronic devices for full control of the amount of load applied to the athlete. The loads may also be concisely controlled and varied depending on the length of the tether, including inverse band resistance (heavier loads at shorter lengths and lighter loads at longer lengths, etc.). The rear harness support 60′″ may be used in motorized and non-motorized modes of operation, for example. The rear harness support 60′″ may include quick-disconnect attachments allowing the user to install and remove the rear harness support relatively quickly. Elements illustrated, but not specifically described are similar to the elements described in the above embodiments. More particularly, the lifter arm 44′″, jack screw 46′″, handrail 25′″, wheel 29′″, deck 22′″, lift frame 21b′″, display 35′″ and belt 23′″ are similar to the lifter arm 44, jack screw 46, handrail 25, wheel 29, deck 22, lift frame 21b, display 35, and belt 23, respectively.

A method aspect is directed to a method for operating a treadmill 20 that includes a frame 21, a deck 22 carried by the frame, a belt 23 movable over the deck and configured to provide a moving contact surface for feet of a user, a handrail 25 carried by the frame and configured to be grasped by the user, and a belt drive arrangement 30 carried by the frame and coupled to the belt. The method includes selectively configuring the belt drive arrangement 30 to operate in one of a plurality of operating modes 34. The operating modes 34 include a set pace mode 34a with the speed of the belt 23 set to a fixed pace, and a freewheel mode 34b with the belt operationally decoupled from the belt drive arrangement 30. The operating modes 34 also include a sled push mode 34c with selectable resistance provided to the belt 23 as the user pushes against the handrail 25.

The method includes wirelessly obtaining user identification data 36 for each user of a plurality of users. The method also includes collecting performance data 37 associated with each user of the plurality of users, for example. The method also includes operating a vertical drive arrangement 40 to selectively raise and lower a forward end 26 of the deck 22.

The method further includes sensing a gait of the user. Sensing the gait of the user may include operating a first series of optical emitters 51′ carried by the deck 22′ along a first side of the belt 23′ and operating a second series of optical receivers 52′ carried by the deck along a second side of the belt, for example. The first series of optical emitters 51′ and second series of optical receivers 52′ may be substantially flush with adjacent portions of the deck 22′, for example.

While several embodiments have been described herein, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any element or elements from one or more embodiments may be used with any other element or elements from any other embodiment or embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.