Efficacy of a weighted-vest aerobic dance intervention for enhancing lower extremity strength and mobility in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week aerobic dance program combined with a weighted vest on functional fitness, body composition, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. [Methods] Fifty-seven participants (60-80 years) were randomized to perform 50-minute aerobic dance sessions (3 days/week for 8 weeks) either alone (AD, n = 28) or while wearing a 7% body mass weighted vest (AD + WV, n = 29). The outcomes included the Senior Fitness Test, body composition, BMD, and resting blood pressure. [Results] After the 8-week intervention, the AD + WV group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in lower body strength (30-second chair stand), with a 38.1% increase, compared to an 11.3% increase in the AD group (interaction p = 0.002). Dynamic mobility (Timed Up and Go) showed no significant time (p = 0.477), group (p = 0.327), or interaction (p = 0.546) effects. Additionally, both groups showed equivalent reductions in resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in total muscle mass or BMD in either group (p > 0.05), and no training-related injuries were observed. [Conclusion] Adding a 7% weighted vest to aerobic dance safely and effectively enhances lower body strength in older women with low bone mass. The absence of short-term structural changes suggests improvements may stem from multiple mechanisms, including neuromuscular adaptations, warranting further investigation. This intervention may represent an adjunctive strategy for improving functional capacity related to fall risk, though this potential benefit requires confirmation in future studies.