A WORCESTERSHIRE hospital has taken delivery of a piece of physiotherapy equipment developed from technology used to train astronauts for space flight.

The AlterG treadmill has been introduced at the BMI Droitwich Spa Hospital to treat patients recovering from a stroke, an injury or an operation, or those who have become so obese they are unable to exercise.

The £40,000 treadmill – which was developed using NASA technology – uses air pressure to lift about 80 per cent of the patient’s body mass, meaning they can walk or run without their joints having to take their full body weight.

The hospital’s physiotherapy lead Annika Cunningham said the treadmill was also used by patients who have had hip or knee replacements to help them keep active without putting too much pressure on their joints.

“The anti-gravity effect means the joints only take a small amount of pressure while the muscles are kept active and strong,” she said.

“It is an excellent choice for people suffering with stress-related or recurring injuries such as cruciate ligament or cartilage damage.”

She added it could also be used for people who had become so obese their joints are unable to support them while they exercise.

“The AlterG gets them back into exercise at a rate that their body can handle,” she said.

“We can start them off with the treadmill taking 80 per cent of their weight then, as they improve and regain some fitness, we can increase the amount of weight they are bearing themselves.”