Date of Award
Fall 12-19-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Wearable resistance refers to the practice of attaching weight to specific body segments during sport-specific movements. This study investigates the impact of progressive microloading training, which involves wearing wearable resistance on the torso (3%, 5%, 10%), on sprint mechanics and performance among competitive athletes. A total of twenty-two participants engaged in a nine-week study that included both progressed and non-progressed group protocols. Sprint times, hip angles, and perceived fatigue were monitored at pre, mid, and post-intervention. A manual biomechanical analysis combined with SPSS-based repeated measures ANOVA indicated no statistically significant changes in hip angle or sprint times between the groups. However, the progressive group showed a positive trend in sprint performance (p = 0.055) along with large effect sizes, suggesting potential benefits in speed development. Fatigue ratings increased comparably across both groups, reflecting a manageable training demand. These findings suggest that progressive torso microloading can safely enhance sprint performance factors, such as force production and velocity, without significantly altering running form or increasing fatigue. Recommendations for coaches include a gradual progression of load, a focus on load placement on the torso for this specific adaptation, diligent monitoring of athletes to optimize adaptation, and minimizing the risk of injury. This research contributes to the understanding of wearable resistance in speed training, endorsing controlled microloading as a practical, sport-specific approach for improving sprint performance while maintaining biomechanical integrity and reducing the risk of injury for high school and collegiate athletes.