Running battle

Runners have long debated the difference between training on a treadmill and training on solid ground. "Belt turnover" is commonly cited as a factor that helps to move your foot backwards and thereby makes running on a treadmill easier than running on the road. At constant velocity, is this a real effect? If so, wouldn't it be felt on any "moving" surface you walk on, such as a train or plane – or even Earth? (Continued)

7 February 2018

Runners have long debated the difference between training on a treadmill and training on solid ground. “Belt turnover” is commonly cited as a factor that helps to move your foot backwards and thereby makes running on a treadmill easier than running on the road. At constant velocity, is this a real effect? If so, wouldn’t it be felt on any “moving” surface you walk on, such as a train or plane – or even Earth? (Continued)

• A previous correspondent (2 December 2017) states that a runner on level ground expends more energy than one running on a level treadmill. If…