Effects of Sprint Training With and Without Weighted Vests on Speed in Youth Baseball Players

Participants performed a sprint training program wearing a weighted vest equal to approximately 10% of their body weight. The program lasted 6 weeks and included 16 sessions of linear and change-of-direction sprint drills. The goal was to examine whether the added external load improved running speed over 30 and 60 yards.

Participants completed the same sprint training program as the experimental group but without the use of a weighted vest. The intervention lasted 6 weeks and consisted of 16 sessions including sprint and agility exercises. This group served as the control condition to assess the effect of external resistance.