Elliptical trainers and steppers are proposed as useful exercise modalities in the rehabilitation of injured runners due to the reduced stress on muscles and joints when compared to running. This study compared the physiological responses to submaximal running (treadmill) with exercise on the elliptical trainer and stepper devices at three submaximal but identical workloads. Authors had 18 trained runners (male/female: N = 9/9, age: mean ± SD = 23 ± 3 years) complete randomized maximal oxygen consumption tests on all three modalities. Submaximal tests of 3 min were performed at 60%, 70%, and 80% of peak workload individually established for each modality. Breath-by-breath oxygen consumption, heart rate, fuel utilization, and energy expenditure were determined. The value of maximal oxygen consumption was not different between treadmill, elliptical, and stepper (49.3 ± 5.3, 48.0 ± 6.6, and 46.7 ± 6.2 ml·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹, respectively). Both physiological measures (oxygen consumption and heart rate) as well as carbohydrate and fat oxidation differed significantly between the different exercise intensities (60%, 70%, and 80%) but did not differ between the treadmill, elliptical trainer, and stepper. Therefore, the elliptical trainer and stepper are suitable substitutes for running during periods when a reduced running load is required, such as during rehabilitation from running-induced injury.

椭圆机和踏步机被提议作为受伤跑步者康复的有用锻炼方式，因为与跑步相比，它减少了肌肉和关节的压力。本研究比较了在三个次最大但相同的工作量下，对次最大跑步（跑步机）的生理反应与椭圆训练机和踏步设备上的运动。作者有 18 名训练有素的跑步者（男性/女性：N  = 9/9，年龄：平均值 ±  SD = 23 ± 3 年）对所有三种方式完成随机最大耗氧量测试。在 60%、70% 和 80% 的峰值工作量分别为每种模式建立的次最大测试中进行 3 分钟。测定每次呼吸的耗氧量、心率、燃料利用率和能量消耗。跑步机、椭圆机和踏步机的最大耗氧量值没有差异（49.3 ± 5.3、48.0 ± 6.6 和 46.7 ± 6.2 ml·min ^-1 ·kg ^-1， 分别）。生理指标（耗氧量和心率）以及碳水化合物和脂肪氧化在不同运动强度（60%、70% 和 80%）之间存在显着差异，但在跑步机、椭圆机和踏步机之间没有差异。因此，椭圆机和踏步机是在需要减少跑步负荷的时期（例如在跑步引起的损伤康复期间）的合适替代品。