Enhancing Jumping Performance in Track and Field Athletes: The Impact of Weighted Vest Training

e purpose of this study is to present the benefits and performance of plyometric training with a weighted vest to help develop the field of athletics in Korea. The study design was to divide 56 Korean male track and field athletes training at the Korea-K Sports Complex in Korea into two groups: have the experimental group wear weighted vests and have the control group do general training to compare the performance of the Sargent Jump and Standing Long Jump. Statistical analyses used paired sample t-tests to evaluate pre- and post-intervention differences within each group. First, before wearing a weighted vest, the Sargent jump improved by an average of 3.60 cm after training at 2.48 cm (t=-9.362, p<.001), and the control group improved by 1.19 cm (t=-4.314, p<.001). Second, the training group's standing long jump improved by 5.14 cm from 278.04 cm (t=-13.162, p<.001) before the training, and the control group improved by 1.15 cm (t=-11.529, p<.001). The results showed that plyometric enhancement training with a weighted vest improved runners' jumping ability compared to conventional track and field training. As such, weighted vest training to increase agility means that it can improve basic track and field skills directly related to performance, and it is expected to be applied to Korean track and field athletes. Keywords: Weighted Vest, Track and Field, Athlete, Jumping Performance 1. Introduction Recently, various records that were considered human limitations in track and field have been broken. Various scientific methods, such as kinetic dynamics, physiology, and psychology, are used to break records track and field today, and these studies focus on human physical training methods and technology analysis[1][2]. The record of track

Weighted Vest, Track and Field, Athlete, Jumping Performance 1. Introduction Recently, various records that were considered human limitations in track and field have been broken. Various scientific methods, such as kinetic dynamics, physiology, and psychology, are used to break records track and field today, and these studies focus on human physical training methods and technology analysis[1][2]. The record of track and field events cannot be achieved only by the efforts of athletes, and good records can be made by the coach's more reasonable and scientific training contents and training methods. It is also said that improving track and field records is a measure of the country's sports science because track and field is the basis for physical strength indicators as a basic sport and is the basis of all sports[3]. Track and field athletes must have very strong angular strength in sprinting, leaping, and throwing events, especially the standing long jump, which is a horizontal jump that evaluates the basic ability of the standing long jump, a vertical jump. This agility is also used as necessary data for discovering track and field athletes and is widely used to determine the direction of athletes' training through basic data Received: September 30, 2024; 1 st Review Result: November 04, 2024; 2 nd Review Result: December 9, 2024 Accepted: December 26, 2024

Enhancing Jumping Performance in Track and Field Athletes: The Impact of Weighted Vest Training 574 Copyright ⓒ 2025 KCTRS values of jumpers, including professional track and field athletes[4][5]. Sargent Jump, a vertical jump in place, is a test designed by Sargent (D.) in the United States to measure vertical jump. It is commonly used by professional sports players around the world to re- evaluate vertical distance by bending their knees at about 90 degrees and shaking their arms. In addition to the Sargent jump, the standing long jump is also one of the most common tests to measure agility[6]. In track and field, individual innate talents such as short-distance running, jumping, and throwing are also important factors, but physical strength, such as muscle strength, power, and speed, based on this, is also a necessary factor for record challenges. In 1964, Verkhoshansky developed a plyometric training method in the former Soviet Union to strengthen the factors of agility among this basic physical strength (Uzor, Wellness Through Plyometric Training). Currently, this training method has been widely used in sports sites, including track and field, and has had a good effect. Plyometric training is an exercise that allows muscles to exert maximum force within the shortest time[7][8]. Plyometric training refers to jumping, bounding, or box jump exercises that require quickness or leap power, and the effect of this exercise is that the group who performed weight training in the muscle height reflective strength test and the group with plyometrics are greater[9]. In addition, the plyometric training effect was found to have much higher power improvement than power training by vertical jumping, combined jumping, and bounding methods[10]. It is said that the box's height effect is optimal when it is 70-110 cm in foreign studies and optimal when it is 50 cm in Korea[11]. According to the study of Allerheiligen & Rogers, this training requires adequate technical skills, a sufficient level of muscle strength, and joint control, which can increase muscle or intramuscular contraction to enhance muscle agility[12]. Rogers instructed track and field athletes and said that wearing weighted vests for plyometric training, including

studies and optimal when it is 50 cm in Korea[11]. According to the study of Allerheiligen & Rogers, this training requires adequate technical skills, a sufficient level of muscle strength, and joint control, which can increase muscle or intramuscular contraction to enhance muscle agility[12]. Rogers instructed track and field athletes and said that wearing weighted vests for plyometric training, including box jumping, can further maximize the training effect of track and field athletes[13]. Macadam, Cronin & Feser studied the effect of weighted vest training on sprint running performance[14], and Clark, Stearne, Walts, & Miller on weightlifting and sprinters[15]. Many studies have shown that plyometric training is effective in improving strength, quickness, and endurance in soccer players[16][17]. Building upon Verkhoshansky’s pioneering plyometric methods, weighted vest training represents a contemporary innovation that combines traditional plyometric exercises with increased resistance to amplify training effects. While studies abroad have demonstrated its potential in enhancing sprinting and jumping performance, the application of this method in Korea, particularly among track and field athletes remains unexplored. This study bridges this gap by investigating the effects of weighted vest training on improving vertical and horizontal jump performance, thereby contributing to the advancement of training methodologies in Korean athletics. 2. Theoretical Background Improving athletic performance in track and field involves not only individual effort but also the integration of scientific methods and technical analysis. Mechanics, physiology, and psychology form the foundation of performance enhancement, shaping effective training strategies that reflect national progress in sports science. Track and field disciplines demanding explosive strength, agility, and leaping ability, such as sprints and jumps, particularly benefit from scientific approaches to training. Plyometric training, including exercises like jumping, bounding, and box jumps, is a well-researched method for developing explosive strength and agility. It enhances the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), crucial for generating powerful movements in sprinting and jumping events. Studies confirm plyometric training's superior effectiveness in improving vertical and horizontal jump performance compared to traditional strength training[18]. Athletes in events like the high jump, long jump, and triple jump gain significantly from such training, which develops the force and agility essential for success[19]. Periodized

enhances the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC), crucial for generating powerful movements in sprinting and jumping events. Studies confirm plyometric training's superior effectiveness in improving vertical and horizontal jump performance compared to traditional strength training[18]. Athletes in events like the high jump, long jump, and triple jump gain significantly from such training, which develops the force and agility essential for success[19]. Periodized plyometric programs further optimize results by balancing training volume, intensity, and

Enhancing Jumping Performance in Track and Field Athletes: The Impact of Weighted Vest Training Copyright ⓒ 2025 KCTRS 575 recovery, reducing injury risk while fostering long-term development[20]. Weighted vests are an innovative addition to plyometric training, providing extra resistance to enhance neuromuscular adaptations. Research indicates that weighted vest training boosts strength, sprint performance, and muscular endurance, with improvements in vertical jump height shown in studies by McBride et al.[21]. The added load during exercises like box jumps increases power output and explosiveness. While plyometric training has been widely acknowledged for enhancing explosive strength and agility, its application in Korea requires a nuanced understanding of local athletic development. Korean athletes often face challenges such as a reliance on traditional training techniques and a lack of exposure to advanced training methods like weighted vest training. Additionally, the physiological characteristics of Korean athletes, including unique muscle strength and power profiles, may influence how plyometric exercises, especially those with added resistance, are applied. Therefore, adapting plyometric training with weighted vests to the specific needs of Korean athletes could yield significant improvements in vertical and horizontal jumps, ultimately contributing to the country's athletic competitiveness on the global stage. 3. Materials and Methods 3.1 Research Subjects The subjects of this study consisted of 56 Korean male track and field athletes from the Korean K region, and among the participants were sprinters (100m, 200m, 400m, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles) and jumpers (long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault) among the track and field events [Table 1]. For these participants, the 100m record was between 10.50 and 11.50. The data were analyzed as 200m 21.39-22.09, and the 400m record was 48.01-50.13. Next, the data were recorded as 14.35-15.83 in the 110m hurdles, 51.64-54.17 in the 400m hurdles, 6.9-7.33m in the long jump, 13.92-15.28m in the triple jump, 1.85-2.05m in the high jump, and 3.8-5.00m in the pole vault. Twenty-eight of the 56 athletes in each of the training and control groups participated. [Table 1] General Characteristics of Study Subjects Range Training Group(n) Control Group(n) Total (%) Age 17-18 3 5 8(14.29) 19-20 5 4 9(16.07) 21-22 8

6.9-7.33m in the long jump, 13.92-15.28m in the triple jump, 1.85-2.05m in the high jump, and 3.8-5.00m in the pole vault. Twenty-eight of the 56 athletes in each of the training and control groups participated. [Table 1] General Characteristics of Study Subjects Range Training Group(n) Control Group(n) Total (%) Age 17-18 3 5 8(14.29) 19-20 5 4 9(16.07) 21-22 8 7 15(26.79) 23-24 5 6 11(19.64) 25-26 7 6 13(23.21) Educational Background High school 7 8 15(26.79) College 12 13 25(44.64) Professional Athletic Team 9 7 16(28.57) Athletics Type 100m,200m 9 10 19(33.93) 400m 5 4 9(16.07) 110m hurdle 400m hurdle 4 3 7(12.5) Long jump Triple jump 6 8 14(25) High jump Pole vault 4 3 7(12.5)

Enhancing Jumping Performance in Track and Field Athletes: The Impact of Weighted Vest Training 576 Copyright ⓒ 2025 KCTRS 3.2 Experiment Design For this study, we used the purposive sampling method. Purposive sampling aims to collect data that is highly relevant and specific to the research topic. In this study, 56 Korean track and field athletes were classified into two groups. Looking at all the models below, the athletes received several weeks of common training programs [Table 2]. The training group was conducted in the middle of weight training or after weight training on Mondays and Fridays, 15kg for 3 weeks, 10kg for 4 weeks, 15kg for 5 weeks, and 15kg for the last 8 weeks of training. The subjects signed a voluntary agreement to participate in the training program. During the training program, the subject’s physical conditions were monitored for injuries and training adherence. After the training set, a light jump is performed without wearing a weighted vest to compensate for overload. The control group participated only in the common training program outlined in [Table 2], with no additional interventions or coaching adjustments beyond their regular routine. This ensured that any observed performance changes could primarily be attributed to natural variation or the standard training program, isolating the effects of the intervention applied to the training group. Compliance checks were conducted weekly throughout the study. These assessments involved monitoring participants' adherence to the training protocol via performance logs and direct observations during training sessions. Performance logs included details on the completion of prescribed exercises, the intensity and duration of sessions, and any deviations or issues reported by participants. Direct observations ensured accuracy in the execution of training exercises and provided immediate feedback to participants, thereby maintaining the integrity of the intervention. First, the training group and the control group were selected and pretested. As a post-test, we recorded the Sargent jump and standing long jump and presented the results to the SPSS.26 program. The design of this study is shown in [Fig. 1]. The design of this study is shown in [Fig. 1]. Subject -Selecting Random Assignment Training Group

the intervention. First, the training group and the control group were selected and pretested. As a post-test, we recorded the Sargent jump and standing long jump and presented the results to the SPSS.26 program. The design of this study is shown in [Fig. 1]. The design of this study is shown in [Fig. 1]. Subject -Selecting Random Assignment Training Group (n=28) Control Group (n=28) Pre-test Sargent jump, standing long jump Treatment Control Group – Common training program Training Group – Common & Plyometric training in a Weighted vest program (8week) Post-test Sargent jump, standing long jump Statistics SPSS Program [Fig. 1] Study Design

Enhancing Jumping Performance in Track and Field Athletes: The Impact of Weighted Vest Training Copyright ⓒ 2025 KCTRS 577 [Table 2] Common Training Program (Training group & Control group) Week day AM PM Precautions 1~2 Mon Sprint drill Strength training The second week of the first stage of training is 80-90% and the first week of the third stage is slightly lowered by 10%.and then we go strong for another two weeks. Tue Acceleration ru Rest Wed Resistance run Weight training Thu Recovery or Rest Fri Hurdle/Start Weight training Sat Sprint or Event training 3~5 Mon Sprint drill Strength training Tue Acceleration ru Rest Wed Harness resistance run Weight training Thu Recovery or Rest Fri Hurdle/Start Weight training Sat Reinforcement training 6~8 Mon Sprint drill Strength training Level 3 weak 1 week and strong maximum strength for the remaining 2 weeks Tue Acceleration run Rest Wed Resistance run Weight training Thu Recovery or Rest Fri Hurdle/Start Weight training Sat Event reinforcement Weighted Vest with Jump Program 1 Jump on the box Box-30cm(1-3week)40cm from 4 weeks 3time X 3set 2 Dropping from the box and holding out Box-30cm(1-3week)40cm from 4 weeks 3time X 3set 3 Jump to the box and jump to the next box Box-30cm(1-3week)40cm from 4 weeks 3time X 3set 4 One leg Jump to the box and hold on (also do the opposite leg) Box-30cm(1-3week)40cm from 4 weeks 3time X 3set 5 One leg dropping from the box (also do the opposite leg) Box-30cm(1-3week)40cm from 4 weeks 3time X 3set 6 One leg jumps to the box and next the box (also do the opposite leg) Box-30cm(1-3week)40cm from 4 weeks 3time X 3set 7 Jump to the box and quick Squat jump 60cm 3time X3 set 2.3 Data Procedure Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS 26 for the mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, minimum, and maximum values. To analyze the measurement records for each group, normality tests, pre-homogeneity tests, and paired t-tests were performed. Differences in the pre- and 8- week tests for Sargent jump and standing long jump were analyzed. 4. Result 4.1 Verification of Normality

Procedure Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS 26 for the mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, minimum, and maximum values. To analyze the measurement records for each group, normality tests, pre-homogeneity tests, and paired t-tests were performed. Differences in the pre- and 8- week tests for Sargent jump and standing long jump were analyzed. 4. Result 4.1 Verification of Normality

Enhancing Jumping Performance in Track and Field Athletes: The Impact of Weighted Vest Training 578 Copyright ⓒ 2025 KCTRS [Table 3] Normality Test Group Statistics p Sargent Jump Training .961 .069 Control .967 .129 Standing Long Jump Training .972 .219 Control .968 .148 The normality test [Table 3] revealed that the Sargent jump and standing long jump followed a normal distribution, as their significance levels exceeded .05, with .069 to .219. Therefore, in this study, the data are analyzed using the t-test, which takes the normality of the sample as a whole. 4.2 Pre-homogeneous Verification [Table 4] Pre-homogeneous Verification Test Training Control t p M(SD) M(SD) Sargent Jump 62.48(3.60) 61.44(2.63) 1.234 .223 Standing long jump 278.04(7.35) 277.39(6.79) .340 .735 The preliminary homogeneity test [Table 4] showed that the Sargent jump (t=1.234, p>.05) and standing long jump (t=0.340, p>.05) were homogeneous, indicating that the experimental and control groups were similar. 4.3 Validate Between-Group Effects This chapter presents the results of a validated study on the effects of weighted vest-wearing plyometric training on agility in track and field athletes [Table 5]. The training group improved from 62.48 cm to 66.01 cm in the Sargent jump and from 278.04 cm to 283.18 cm in the standing long jump. The control group showed smaller improvements: 61.44 cm to 62.63 cm in the Sargent jump and 277.39 cm to 278.54 cm in the standing long jump. [Table 5] Descriptive Statistics Group Mean (M) Standard Deviation (SD) Skew Kurtosis Minim um Maximu m t(p) Cohen’ s d Sargent Jump Training (n=28) pre 62.48 3.60 -.25 -.87 54.33 67.22 -9.362(.000) -1.77 post 66.01 2.41 -.21 -.70 61.17 70.01 Control (n=28) pre 61.44 2.63 .10 .19 55.12 66.50 -4.314(.000) -0.82 post 62.63 3.11 .03 -1.01 56.35 67.68 Standin g long Jump Training (n=28) pre 278.04 7.35 .62 -.36 268.00 294.00 -13.162(.000) -2.49 post 283.18 6.28 .49 -.25 274.00 297.00 Control (n=28) pre 277.39 6.79 .32 -.14 263.00 265.00 -11.529(.000) -2.18 post 278.54 6.72 .37 -.32 265.00 293.00 *** p<.001 The results in [Table 5] show significant improvements after 8 weeks for both the training and control groups in

This study investigates the effects of weighted vest training on jumping performance in track and field athletes.