weight vests for running/walking

[nativebermudian]

Does anyone here use weight vests for running/walking. Has anyone tried it with the Slavanskiy Byeg gait? Any noticeable results?
I had done it several years ago with extended exhalation...pause...and natural inhale breathing cadence. This was done with a "normal" gait. In a very short period of time, there seemed to be dramatic increases in strength and endurance. Looking to start it up again and wondered if anyone had experience using the Slavic gait. Thanks for your help.
Jim Tirey

[maxmoon]

i have been planing to buy one so that i can climb trees with it on.

i always loved climbing trees and always enjoyed doing it with ease.

this idea came to me last fall so i think now would be a great time to put it in use.

if u plan on getting one try to climb some trees with it on,try climbing difrent trees and difrent paths up the tree.

imagine taking off the vest after a good month and try to climb some trees!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

somthing i dare to try out.

max

[JasonE]

If suitable trees aren't handy, I imagine this would be lovely on a climbing wall too.

[Tyler]

This won't exactly answer your question, but here is some research that was done on weight vest training:

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Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1984;53(2):149-54

The influence of extra load on the mechanical behavior of skeletal muscle.

Bosco C, Zanon S, Rusko H, Dal Monte A, Bellotti P, Latteri F, Candeloro N, Locatelli E, Azzaro E, Pozzo R, et al.

Eleven international jumpers and throwers engaged in year round training were divided into experimental (n = 6) and control (n = 5) groups. The experimental group was tested before and after a 3 weeks simulated hypergravity period, and again 4 weeks after the hypergravity period. The high gravity condition was created by wearing a vest weighing about 13% of the subjects body weight. The vest was worn from morning to evening including the training sessions, and only removed during sleep. The daily training of all subjects consisted of classical weight training and jumping drills. No changes in the ordinary training program were allowed in the experimental group, except for the use of the vest. Vertical jumps, drop jumps and a 15 s continuous jumping test were used to measure the explosive power characteristics of the subjects. After the hypergravity period the experimental subjects demonstrated significant (5-10%, P less than 0.05-0.01) improvements in most of the variables studied: however, 4 weeks after cessation of the high gravity period they tended to return towards the starting values. No changes were observed in the results of the control group. The improvement observed in the experimental subjects was explained as fast adaptation to the simulated high gravity field. It is suggested that adaptation had occurred both in neuromuscular functions and in metabolic processes.
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Acta Physiol Scand 1985 Aug;124(4):507-13

Adaptive response of human skeletal muscle to simulated hypergravity condition.

Bosco C.

The mechanical behaviour of leg extensor muscles of five international-level athletes was evaluated during 13 months training period. Drop jumps, average mechanical power during 15 S continuous jump, and vertical jumps performed with and without extra weights were used to measure explosive power characteristics. The data recorded in vertical jumps was utilized for construction of force-velocity relationship (F-V curve). The athletes did not show improvement in any of the variables studied after 12 months of intensive systematic training programme. It was assumed that the subjects already had reached their upper limit of performance. However, after that the athletes underwent a simulated 3 weeks high-gravity period. The hypergravitational condition was created by wearing a special vest filled with extra loads (11% of BW). The vest was used from morning to evening. No changes in the ordinary training programme were allowed. After the simulated high-gravity conditioning period significant improvement in almost all the variables studied was observed (P less than 0.05-0.001). Vertical jump performance was enhanced from 44.3 to 54.9 cm. The F-V curve remained stable all year but after hypergravity period shifted markedly to the right. The drastic improvement was attributed to be caused by a fast adaptation to the new functional requirements (I.I g). Therefore, once the biological adaptation occurred the mechanical behaviour of the athlete's leg extensor muscle was similar to that which could be experienced in a field at low gravity condition (0.9 g). Adaptive response to the hypergravity conditioning was speculated to occur mainly at neurogenic level and less in myogenic component.
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Med Sci Sports Exerc 1986 Aug;18(4):415-9


The effect of extra-load conditioning on muscle performance in athletes.

Bosco C, Rusko H, Hirvonen J.

Fourteen sprinters were assigned to an experimental group (N = 7) and a control group (N = 7) in order to study the effects of 3 wk of extra-load conditioning. The extra-load conditioning was achieved by the athletes wearing special vests containing weights (7-8% body mass). The vests were used from morning to evening and during 3-5 training sessions/wk for 3 wk. No changes in the ordinary training regime were allowed, except the use of the vest by the experimental group. A jumping test battery and short running test on a treadmill were utilized to measure explosive power characteristics and the anaerobic performance of the subjects. While the control group showed no changes in any of the variables studied, the experimental subjects significantly improved their jumping heights in squat jumps with and without extra loads; their jumping heights in drop jumps and mechanical power output in 15 s of jumps. No changes in lactate levels or in running times to exhaustion were observed in response to the extra-load conditioning. The improvement of jumping performances could be due to a fast neurogenic adaptation to the new requirements.
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Hope this helps.

Tyler

[Cam]

For those interested in weight vest training, here is a high-quality product. It does not bear a significant amount of weight, but molds very well to the body. This makes it ideal for medium to high speed activities like running, agility drills, etc.
Cam

http://www.smartvest.net/smartvest.asp

[Coach Jones]

My only concern in regard to the weight vest training would be the adaptations that would occur in regard to technique. If one was using them simply as an adjunct to overall "fitness training" I think they'd provide some benefit. For a higher caliber athlete, or one that requires a high level of skill in a specific event (long jump, high jump, or the like) the weight vest will undoubtedly cause an adaptation to form in order to adjust to the new distribution of weight. For an athlete who has spent years honing their form so that they can get the best performance possible this will be counter-productive.

Brandon Jones
CST Head Coach

[Scott Sonnon]

I would have to agree with Brandon. The research conducted by scientists such as the late Dr. Mel Siff in his book SUPERTRAINING indicates that skill rehearsal under load/resistance interferes with the skill, since it registers as a "new" skill (see section SIMULATION vs. STIMULATION.) Mel discussed this quite often when he was the RMAX moderator answering questions S&C related.

This is a pervasive performance danger we see appearing as a result of the recent "Performance Enhancement" and "Sport-Specific" training craze now erupting.