The effect of weighted vest walking on metabolic responses and ground reaction forces

Purpose: Thissiudy examined how oxygen consumption. relative exercise intensity, vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF). and loading rate (LR) were affected while using a weighted vest (WV) during treadmill walking. Methods: A sample of 10 (aged 23.4 +/- 1.7 yr) subjects performed a standardized walking test (4-min stages at 0.89. 1.12. 1.34. 1.56. and 1.79 m s(-1)) on a treadmill under four weighted vest conditions (0, 10, 15, and 20% of body mass (BM)). Dependent variables included oxygen consumption (VO2), relative exercise intensity. first (F-1) and second (F-2) peaks of the VGRF curve, and LR. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant vest versus speed interaction for VO2 and relative exercise intensity. Follow-up contrasts showed significant vest effect differences between 0% BM and all other WV conditions. and between 10 and 20% BM at all speeds for VO2. Follow-up analysis of relative exercise intensity demonstrated no significant vest effect difference at slower speeds, but significant differences at higher speeds. A significant main effect for WV condition was found for F-1, F-2, and LR Follow-up testing revealed F-1 and F-2 at 0% BM were significantly different than at 10. 15, and 20% BM. F-1 and F-2 at 10% BM were significantly different than 20% BM, whereas F-1 at 15% BM was significantly different than at 20% BM. LR at 0% BM was significantly different than at 15 and 20% BM. Conclusion: Using a weighted vest can increase the metabolic costs, relative exercise intensity, and loading of the skeletal system during walking.