Validating Natural Movement

A Technical Report on the Impower Health Gait Index™

For decades, treadmills have required users to adapt to the machine instead of allowing the machine to adapt to the user. While this approach is sufficient for basic exercise, it alters natural walking behavior and limits the ability to accurately assess real-world movement.

This technical report presents the validation of Impower Health's patented Gait Index™ software, a self-paced treadmill technology that continuously adjusts to each person's natural walking speed. Conducted with 60 healthy participants between the ages of 12 and 75, the study compares overground walking, traditional fixed-speed treadmills, and Impower Health's adaptive self-paced solution.

Inside the report, you'll learn:

• Why fixed-speed treadmills reduce natural gait variability.

• How self-paced treadmill technology restores more natural walking patterns.

• Validation showing high statistical accuracy (90%) with laboratory-grade motion capture systems.

• Clinical implications for rehabilitation, mobility assessment, and long-term patient monitoring.

• Commercial opportunities for healthcare organizations, treadmill manufacturers, and performance facilities.

• Why natural movement variability is emerging as an important indicator of healthy mobility.