Experts Discuss Exercise Safety

By Alexandria Hoff

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The death of Facebook CEO, Sheryl Sandberg's CEO Husband David Goldberg has prompted a conversation over treadmill safety. The 47-year-old died suddenly on Friday while on vacation in Mexico.  According to Mexican officials, Goldberg suffered a head injury and loss of blood after falling during a treadmill workout.

Dr. Rob Danoff told CBS 3 Eyewitness News Tuesday that treadmills are one of the more common causes of sports injuries that he sees. Danoff adds that many of these trips to the hospital could be prevented by remaining focused straight ahead while running, "We look down at our feet and then we lose our perception of where we are," he said. Focusing elsewhere, according to Danoff, which includes scrolling or typing on a phone can cause a change in stride and therefore more trips and falls.

He provided us with these safety tips.

"Don't watch your feet while walking on the treadmill. You would lose your sense of balance and position and end up either too close to the front or too close to the rear and end up sliding backwards and falling off."

"Keep the treadmill safety shut-off rope out of reach of children, as that could end up wrapping around a child's neck and if they fall they could choke."

"Wear proper shoes. Some wear flip-flops, believe-it-or-not, or go barefoot and stub their toe. With flipflops they can trip and fall. If they wear the wrong type of sneaker they are vulnerable to foot and ankle pain."

"Know where the Emergency Shut Off button is located."

"When stopping, don't jump off the machine, put either foot on either side on the foot rest and let the machine slow to a stop."