Summary:
- The article examines the biomechanical and physiological differences between treadmill running and outdoor running, specifically addressing the common practice of setting a 1% incline.
- It highlights scientific research suggesting that a 1% incline effectively compensates for the lack of air resistance (aerodynamic drag) experienced when running on a stationary treadmill compared to running through still air outdoors.
- The author concludes that while the 1% rule is a useful heuristic for matching metabolic demand to outdoor efforts, it is not a strict requirement for all runners, as individual physiological responses and training goals vary.