Abstract
Objectives: To determine if weighted vests dosed at 10% of body weight, when added to a home exercise program, provides stimulus sufficient to improve strength, sit to stand performance, and aerobic capacity in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: Nineteen participants (mean age = 68.7 +/– 5.9 SD) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 fashion into either an exercise only control group or an exercise plus weighted vest at 10% of body weight intervention group. All participants performed the same home exercise program consisting of eight open and closed kinetic chain lower extremity exercises, and a 30 minute walking program, 3x/wk for 12 weeks. Pre and post intervention data collection included: lower extremity muscle strength dynamometry, five time sit to stand, 30 second chair rise, two minute step and six minute walk tests.Results: Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) were noted in 100% of weighted vest group and 42% of control group dependent variables. Between groups comparison demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the vest group relative to control group in 5/12 dependent variables (p < 0.05). Weighted vest intervention resulted in exceeding minimally clinically important differences in 6-minute walk test, 2-minute step test and 30-second chair rise test performance. Based on participant report, one half of weighted vest users reported difficulty with vest donning and doffing.Conclusions: Weighted vest use during exercise resulted in statistically and clinically greater improvements in strength, sit to stand performance, and aerobic capacity than exercise alone. Further research is required to determine optimal weighted vest dosage parameters to maximize functional gains while reducing the need for assistance with vest management.
Highlights
Declines in muscle strength, development of osteoporosis, falls, fractures, declines in mobility and impaired activities of daily living are common in the older adult population (Guccione Wong and Avers 2012; Lopopolo et al 2006)
Recent research on weighted vest use has investigated its impact on body composition (Normandin et al 2018), bone metabolism (Hamaguchi et al 2017; Klentrou et al 2007; Roghani et al 2013), and lower extremity biomechanics (Mair et al 2014; Puthoff et al 2006)
Two participants in the weighted vest intervention group withdrew due to medical conditions unrelated to the study resulting in control group n = 9 and intervention group n = 8 completing pre and post intervention data collection and intervention
Summary
Development of osteoporosis, falls, fractures, declines in mobility and impaired activities of daily living are common in the older adult population (Guccione Wong and Avers 2012; Lopopolo et al 2006). Resistance training and aerobic exercise are commonly utilized interventions to combat these age-related changes (Lopopolo et al 2006). Weighted vests have been used as an intervention to improve strength and function in the older adult population (Bean et al 2002; Bean et al 2004; Greendale et al 1993; Greendale et al 2000; Salem et al 2004; Shaw and Snow 1998; Snow et al 2000). Prior studies utilizing varied weighted vest dosages have demonstrated differing outcomes
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