Being able to move efficiently and without pain is vital to the quality of daily life.

SKILLMILL is based on the Technogym Ability Training approach, which combines traditional exercise physiology with functional training to offer a safe and effective method for gradual improvement.

“In my practice, I prescribe high intensity interval training for a range of chronic diseases in particular metabolic disorders because it’s proven to be safe and highly effective. The Technogym SKILLMILL facilitates this mode of exercise extremely well,” says Professor Rob Newton – Professor in Exercise and Sports Science at Edith Cowan University, and Director of the Exercise Medicine Research Institute.

Due to the patent pending MULTIDRIVE TECHNOLOGY created by Technogym’s Research and Development Department, SKILLMILL enables the use of the full speed-resistance spectrum to mobilise and activate the whole posterior chain with just a single piece of equipment for a fast, safe and effective recovery.

FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION – FOR THE LOWER BODY

SKILLMILL allows for a variety of exercises to improve strength, speed, power, mobility, and proprioception. Users can progress gradually from an early rehabilitation phase up to the highest level of sport-specific conditioning in the major orthopaedic pathologies across several regions of the body.

Non-specific lower back pain:

According to Pain Health, about 80 per cent of people experience back pain in their lifetime. For 10 to 30 per cent of people, back pain can be distressing, interfere with daily activities and ultimately affect their quality of life.[i]

Strong core and glutes play an important role in preventing non-specific lower back pain. By recruiting the posterior chain muscles in all forward walking, running and pushing and backward pulling movements, SKILLMILL users can strengthen their cores. Walking with resistance on the equipment will also activate the glutes to a higher degree.

Total Knee Replacement:

SKILLMILL allows patients to control their gait pattern and adjust the range of motion based on whichever phase of the rehabilitation process they’re in. Users can also progress from strength to speed throughout their rehab by utilising the MULTIDRIVE TECHNOLOGY resistance.

METABOLIC DISORDERS – PREVENTING CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN PATIENTS

Metabolic disorders are a leading cause of chronic conditions. High blood pressure or high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels are responsible for increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. For those with metabolic syndrome or any of its components, aggressive lifestyle changes can delay or even prevent the development of serious health problems, and exercise is a major component of an effective lifestyle change.

Aerobic Exercise:

The effects of aerobic exercise on patients with metabolic syndrome are well established, and rehabilitation plans with more vigorous aerobic exercise programs resulted in greater clinical improvements – reductions in haemoglobin A1C, increase in VO₂ MAX and increased insulin sensitivity.

AGEING DISORDERS – IMPROVING MOBILITY IN SENIOR PATIENTS

Disease and physical impairment may reduce the ability of older people to perform everyday tasks, live independently and enjoy a high quality of life. Physical activity and exercise can help the ageing population live healthier and happier.

Cardiovascular Efficiency:

According to Better Health, only one in 10 Australians over the age of 50 exercise enough to gain any cardiovascular benefit[ii]. To promote and maintain a healthy lifestyle, the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines encourage older people to do 30 minutes of medium intensity exercise each day.

Strength Training:

After the age of 50, muscle strength begins to decline at the rate of 12-15 per cent per decade, with more rapid losses after 65. Exercising with resistance on the SKILLMILL combines aerobic conditioning with strength training to target entire muscle chains, improve bone density and reduce the decline in muscle and bone mass that leads to frailty and fracture.

“Decline in muscle mass with ageing is one of the major health issues causing not only impaired physical function but also increasing risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. The activation of large muscle groups during resisted striding on the SKILLMILL provides a strong anabolic effect,” says Professor Rob Newton.

INTEGRATED THERAPY MANAGEMENT

To help patients improve in complete safety and enable doctors to monitor vital parameters during training, Technogym developed a highly intuitive console for the SKILLMILL that monitors data in real-time – including resistance levels, time, speed, distance and heart rate.

Patients can also download Technogym’s Mywellness app to their smart devices and perform prescribed exercises at home, complete with descriptions, muscle activation, repetitions and video guides – this enables doctors to manage their patient’s therapy outside of the clinic.

For further information visit www.technogym.com/au

References

[i] https://painhealth.csse.uwa.edu.au/pain-module/low-back-pain/

[ii] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/physical-activity-for-seniors