Weighted vest training in community-dwelling older adults: A randomized, controlled pilot study

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.