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An apparatus for providing a walking surface including a particulate material to a user is described. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a primary endless belt that transports a walking surface formed at least in part by a particulate material. The apparatus may further include a return tra

An apparatus for providing a walking surface including a particulate material to a user is described. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a primary endless belt that transports a walking surface formed at least in part by a particulate material. The apparatus may further include a return transport system to facilitate recycling of the particulate material to the front of the apparatus. Methods of exercise and methods of treatment using such an apparatus are also described.

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1. An apparatus comprising: at least two rollers;a primary endless belt rotatably disposed about said at least two rollers, said primary endless belt comprising a primary endless belt surface, a primary endless belt rear end, and a primary endless belt front end;a walking surface disposed on said pr

1. An apparatus comprising: at least two rollers;a primary endless belt rotatably disposed about said at least two rollers, said primary endless belt comprising a primary endless belt surface, a primary endless belt rear end, and a primary endless belt front end;a walking surface disposed on said primary endless belt surface, said walking surface comprising a layer of particulate material; anda return transport system operable to receive said particulate material proximate to said primary endless belt rear end and to deliver said particulate material to said primary endless belt surface at a position proximate to said primary endless belt front end. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said primary endless belt has a substantially U-shaped cross section. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said primary endless belt further comprises at least one primary endless belt sidewall. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said particulate material is selected from the group consisting of sand, rock, metal, rubber, quartz, limestone, polymer, silica and combinations thereof. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a screed coupled to said treadmill at a position proximate to said primary endless belt front end and an upward facing portion of said primary endless belt surface. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said layer of particulate material has a depth and a distribution, and said screed is operable to control at least one of said depth and distribution of said layer of particulate material. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said screed comprises at least one of a screed plate, a prow, and a combination thereof. 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said screed further comprises at least one heating element operable to adjust the temperature of said layer of particulate material. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said return transport system comprises an endless return belt that is at least partially disposed beneath said primary endless belt, said endless return belt comprising an endless return belt surface. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of said endless return belt surface interacts with at least a portion of said primary endless belt surface to facilitate movement of said particulate material to an upward facing surface of said primary endless belt. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said endless return belt further comprises at least one endless return belt sidewall. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: said primary endless belt comprises at least one primary endless belt sidewall; andsaid at least one endless return belt sidewall mates with at least a portion of said at least one primary endless belt sidewall. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said endless return belt further comprises at least one rib extending from said endless belt surface. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said at least one rib mates with at least a portion of said primary endless belt surface so as to facilitate movement of said particulate material to an upward facing portion of said primary endless belt. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said return transport system comprises at least one screw operable to transport said particulate material from a position proximate to said primary endless belt rear end to a position proximate to said primary endless belt front end. 16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a collection device disposed at a position proximate to said primary endless belt rear end, wherein said collection device receives at least a portion of said particulate material from said primary endless belt. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said collection device comprises at least one heating element operable to control a temperature of said layer of particulate material. 18. A method, comprising: exercising an animal on a treadmill, the treadmill comprising: at least two rollers;a primary endless belt rotatably disposed about said at least two rollers, said primary endless belt comprising a primary endless belt surface, a primary endless belt rear end, and a primary endless belt front end;a walking surface disposed on said primary endless belt surface, said walking surface comprising a layer of particulate material; anda return transport system operable to receive said particulate material proximate to said primary endless belt rear end and to deliver said particulate material to said primary endless belt surface at a position proximate to said primary endless belt front end. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said particulate material is selected from the group consisting of sand, rock, metal, rubber, quartz, limestone, polymer, silica and combinations thereof. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising a screed coupled to said treadmill at a position proximate to said primary endless belt front end and an upward facing portion of said primary endless belt.