Antigravity treadmill: advantages and prospects of use in medical rehabilitation
https://doi.org/10.21886/2219-8075-2026-17-1-11-19
Abstract
Objective: to determine current data allowing to judge the effectiveness of the antigravity treadmill (AGT) in various areas of medical rehabilitation taking into account the pathogenetic aspects of its action at the cellular, systemic and functional levels. Materials and methods: a search of Russian and foreign scientific literature was conducted in the following citation databases: “eLIBRARY”, “PubMed”, “Google Scholar”, “Scopus”, “Frontiers”. Request dates: November 2025 – December 2025, request depth: 2010–2025. Results: an analysis of data obtained from clinical studies of Russian and foreign authors was carried out, which indicate the benefits of using AGT in modern clinical practice, including medical rehabilitation. The effects of AGT on the correction and prevention of pathological processes in diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs, musculoskeletal system, central nervous system, and obesity are systematized. Data are presented on the impact of AGT on various body systems – cellular, cytokine, metabolic, and hemodynamic. Conclusions: AGT is a modern, safe, and highly effective medical rehabilitation tool capable of improving functional performance, accelerating tissue repair, and normalizing metabolic processes. The use of antigravity walking is particularly relevant for early patient activation, achieving faster recovery of impaired functions and activity. It is important to note that when natural walking is impossible, for example, due to lower limb amputation, AGT exercises are the only optimal form of physical activity. Further study of AGT in scientific research will expand the indications for its use in various medical rehabilitation settings.
About the Authors
E. S. LevitskayaRussian Federation
Ekaterina S. Levitskaya, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Professor at the Department of Internal Diseases No. 2
Rostov State Medical University
Competing Interests:
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
S. V. Orlova
Russian Federation
Svetlana V. Orlova, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Rehabilitation
Rostov State Medical University
Competing Interests:
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Z. M. Nalgieva
Russian Federation
Zuhra M. Nalgieva, assistant Professor of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation
Rostov State Medical University
Competing Interests:
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
A. Yu. Blinov
Russian Federation
Alexander Yu. Blinov, Head of the Department for Interaction with Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation, Lecturer, Department of Life Safety and Disaster Medicine
Rostov State Medical University
Competing Interests:
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Yu. A. Zimina
Russian Federation
Yulia A. Zimina, resident of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation
Rostov State Medical University
Competing Interests:
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
A. G. Ivashuk
Russian Federation
Alexandr G. Ivashuk, resident of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation
Rostov State Medical University
Competing Interests:
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Review
For citations:
Levitskaya E.S., Orlova S.V., Nalgieva Z.M., Blinov A.Yu., Zimina Yu.A., Ivashuk A.G. Antigravity treadmill: advantages and prospects of use in medical rehabilitation. Medical Herald of the South of Russia. 2026;17(1):11-19. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21886/2219-8075-2026-17-1-11-19
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