A study pitting the ElliptiGO elliptical bicycle against traditional running suggests that both produce similar physiological and subjective results.

In the study, commissioned by San Diego-based ElliptiGO and conducted by Ohio University, male and female participants between the ages of 19 and 26 with an average of 9.25 years of running experience trained on the ElliptiGO (which emulates running motion) for a 4-week period, then participated in traditional running for another 4-week period on a random basis.

According to a media release from ElliptiGO, ElliptiGO-only training (ET) resulted in a reduction of body soreness compared to running-only training (RT), and there were equal improvements in Ventilary Threshold (easy running) pace between ET and RT regardless of which training period was completed first.

In addition, per the release, both groups of participants maintained their level of VO2Max, Respiratory Compensation Point (hard running), Running Economy, and 5,000 meter Time Trial Performance; and the enjoyment and perceived effort levels between the two groups of participants were similar between ET and RT throughout the 4-week training period.

The researchers suggest in the study, published recently in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (the official journal of the National Strength and Conditioning Association) that the similar physiological and subjective results from training on the ElliptiGO bicycle and running may be the result of the bike’s low-impact, run-specific nature. In addition, runners with minor running pains report not experiencing pain while they rode the ElliptiGO bicycle.

“The ability of the ElliptiGO elliptical bike to replicate run-specific fitness has application for injured, injury prone, healthy and even former runners.  We hope these results help coaches and runners of all abilities train smarter and reach their goals,” states Bryan Pate, CEO and co-founder of ElliptiGO, in the release.

[Source: ElliptiGO]