Tread-Science

     Many health clubs focus on "three elements of health (UMD)" The three elements include cardio, strength, and flexibility. There are many different machines that fitness club goers can use that focuses on these strengths. There are treadmills, weight lifting areas, and products designed to help with stretching, but there is one other element that the Researchers in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland have started to focus on. They have been focusing on balance control. They aim to "improve balance for people at risk for falls including those with balance disorders, stroke survivors, Parkinson's disease patients, and the elderly, among others (UMD)"
     The invention that helps with this balance strength is called the "Treadsense." This product helps a person maintain their balance while they're in motion, which is the most important time to have good balance. If you don't have balance while you're moving, a fall is more likely to occur. The Treadsense was invented by "Kinesiology Professor John Jeka; kinesiology doctoral student Eric Anson, who is also a licensed physical therapist; and kinesiology masters degree student Peter Agada (who is a UMD physics alumnus) (UMD)"
     Having a machine to improve balance can help with so many aspects of working out. Balance is something that is used in everything a person does. Walking, running, and going down the stairs are all simple things that use a lot of balance skills. many elderly people have trouble doing those simple tasks because they're balance isn't as strong as it used to be. That's why the Treadsense is such an important invention. It combines a "webcam, treadmill, and a computer modeling of the human body" (CPH) to provide feedback on how an individual is moving. It's especially helpful with teaching people to walk again after an injury.

Larissa Laeder

Cited:

"Kinesiology Invention "Treadsense" Helping People Recover Mobility and Balance." Kinesiology Invention "Treadsense" Helping People Recover Mobility and Balance. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

"College of Public Health." Dr. Jeka Receives US Patent for TreadSense. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.