Alter G

The Alter G works using differential air pressure (DAP), a technology originally created by NASA to combat the negative effects that being in outer space has on astronauts’ body. Using this same technology, the Alter G is able to unload your own body weight at precise 1% increments (up to 80%) by using a chamber that wraps around your lower extremity and fills with pressurized air.

This means that, if a patient who weighs 100 lbs has an injury where they can only tolerate 20 lbs of their total weight, they would be able to exercise safely and comfortably at an earlier point in their recovery using the Alter G.

In addition to precise reductions in body weight, factors such as incline, speed and direction of movement (e.g., forwards or backwards) can be adjusted on the Alter G. This allows for a specific and tailored workout/treatment for each individual patient while reducing the stress that is placed their body during rehabilitation.

Often times, when we are going through rehabilitation for various injuries, conditions or surgeries, our gait becomes affected/altered as a result of the pain or anxiety that comes with putting weight on that limb. By offloading the weight and gravity that is being placed on our body, the Alter G enables the patient to experience the benefits of standing, walking and running without having to worry about the injury and pain.

For example, the anti-gravity treadmill has been found to be a useful modality in helping people with knee Osteoarthritis reap the health benefits of exercise while reducing the pain and biological stress that can occur while exercising with the condition (Jayabalan et al, 2023).