Are there any special precautions I should take after elevating the incline on my treadmill? —R.S., Fort Lee, N.J.

Yes. Creating an incline or increasing the angle can substantially boost the intensity of your workout, but frequent, prolonged walking up any sloped surface can overtax the ligaments in the arch of the foot. That can lead to plantar fasciitis, or painful inflammation where the ligaments of the sole attach to the heel. To reduce your risk, alternate workouts on flat and inclined surfaces. (Increasing the pace can make a "flat" session as challenging as an angled one.) For further protection, stretch your calf muscles routinely, wear shoes with good arch support, and try to lose excess weight.