Red Cross helps Team Yokota defy gravity

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  American Red Cross volunteers and members of the 374th Medical Group gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Yokota Air Base's physical therapy clinic for the dedication of an AlterG Zero-Gravity Treadmill May 11.

The new addition will help patients recover in rehabilitation following injury or surgery of the lower extremity (hip, knee, ankle or foot) as well as strengthening and conditioning for older patients.

The treadmill was donated by the ARC as part of its military outreach program. The program was started in 2008 after the ARC received a $20 million appropriation from Congress to provide services to injured and sick soldiers. The fund was later expanded to include additional benefits for military facilities around the world.

"We work with the 374th Medical Group to buy equipment and programs that would help enhance patient care," said Mary Basiliere, ARC Yokota senior station manager. "The anti-gravity treadmill is going to be a great asset for patients recovering from lower-body injuries."

The treadmill is the first of its kind for the Air Force; it is available for service members throughout the Kanto Plain as well as those who come to Yokota AB for treatment.

The treadmill was designed using technology developed by NASA and further developed by AlterG.  It allows air pressure to inflate a skirt around the base of the treadmill into a bubble, making the treadmill resemble a bumper car.

The air pressure inside the bubble skirt can be increased or decreased to counter the weight of the runner to varying degrees, going as low as 20 percent of the runner's body weight.

"The treadmill is a welcome addition to the department. I look forward to using it," said Major Jeremy Skabelund, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron physical medicine element chief. "It's a great tool to help really see people progress through rehab at a shorter period of time. "

He added, "The treadmill is a great machine -- it will allow us to get people back on their feet a lot sooner."