Is Treadmill Running Easier Due to No Air Resistance?

[Darkmisc]

Does the absence of drag while running on a treadmill make it a significantly less taxing exercise than running outdoors?

 

[QuantumPion]

The real question is, is it easier to run in water or maple syrup? :p

 

[Naty1]

Just ramp up the treadmill at an angle if you like...Otherwise, my experience is that maybe running on a horizontal treadmill might be a smidge easier...but still plently of exercise to get up a good cardio workout...

 

[mesa]

Does the absence of drag while running on a treadmill make it a significantly less taxing exercise than running outdoors?

The coefficient of drag for a person is pretty low, does your treadmill tell you how fast you are going?

 

[Magnawolf]

Buy a really strong fan.

 

[Vorde]

Buy a really strong fan.

Magnawolf wins.

In all seriousness, any difference cause by wing drag can be more than accounted for by changing settings on your treadmill.

 

[Andy Resnick]

Does the absence of drag while running on a treadmill make it a significantly less taxing exercise than running outdoors?

I was interpreting the question to refer to the difference between a moving tread and a non-moving street. Personally I feel a difference, especially during interval training, in the foot-ground impact dynamic.

Watching olympic sprinters, they start to move their leading leg/foot backwards before the foot contacts the ground, perhaps to minimize the impact?

 

[d3mm]

Does the absence of drag while running on a treadmill make it a significantly less taxing exercise than running outdoors?

I don't know, but I can tell you road running is much harder, because you have to pace yourself. Trail running is even harder due to soft or uneven ground, inclines, and weather.