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

NCT ID: NCT07030296

Last Updated: 2025-06-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-04-10

Brief Summary

Brief Summary We want to find out whether training with a weighted vest can help improve speed in U-14 baseball players. To do this, we will conduct a study with athletes like you, comparing performance before and after the training program.

How will we do it?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Group 1: Will train with a weighted vest.

Group 2: Will train without a weighted vest.

Both groups will follow the same training program over 16 sessions. Running speed will be measured before and after the program to evaluate any improvements.

Who can participate?

Boys aged 13 to 14 years.

Members of the Tigres Baseball Club from San Pedro de Urabá.

Must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Who cannot participate?

Players with current injuries.

Those who regularly practice another sport.

Those who leave the club or are unable to complete the pre- and post-tests.

Is it safe? Yes! All procedures follow safety guidelines and will be conducted with informed consent from players and their families. Our goal is to enhance sports performance in a safe and effective way.

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of sprint training with and without a weighted vest on running speed in male U-14 baseball players. The intervention will consist of a standardized sprint training program performed over 16 sessions (2-3 sessions per week for approximately 6 weeks). Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group using weighted vests and a control group without weighted vests.

The weighted vest will represent approximately 10% of the participant's body weight and will be worn during specific sprint training exercises. Both groups will perform the same sprint-based training protocol, including linear sprints and acceleration drills, under the supervision of qualified coaches.

The primary outcome will be sprint performance, assessed via time over 20 meters (with or without intermediate splits, depending on equipment availability). Measurements will be taken at baseline and after completion of the training program.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria have been defined to ensure participant safety and homogeneity of the sample. Ethical approval has been obtained, and informed consent will be secured from parents or legal guardians before participation. This study intends to contribute to evidence-based strategies for improving speed in youth baseball players through load-based sprint training interventions.

Conditions

Youth Baseball Speed, Sprint Training, Weighted Vest, Change of Direction

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Sprint Training With Weighted Vest

Participants in this arm performed sprint training while wearing a weighted vest equivalent to approximately 10% of their body weight. The program consisted of 16 sessions over six weeks and included linear sprints and change-of-direction drills. Sprint speed was assessed before and after the intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Sprint Training With Weighted Vest

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Sprint Training Without Weighted Vest

Participants in this group completed the same sprint training program as the experimental group but without wearing a weighted vest. The program lasted 16 sessions over approximately six weeks and included linear sprints and agility drills. Sprint performance was measured before and after the intervention.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sprint Training Without Weighted Vest

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Interventions

Sprint Training With Weighted Vest

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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Sprint Training Without Weighted Vest

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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Resisted Sprint Training; Unresisted Sprint Training

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Male athletes aged 13 to 14 years
• Member of the Tigres Baseball Club of San Pedro de Urabá
• Signed informed consent from parent or legal guardian
• Regular attendance at training sessions during the intervention period

Exclusion Criteria

• Current musculoskeletal injury
• Regular participation in other sports or physical training programs
• Failure to complete pre- and post-intervention tests
• Withdrawal from the club during the study period

• Minimum Eligible Age: 13 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 14 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Federal University of Vicosa

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Édison Andrés Pérez Bedoya

PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Club de Baseball Tigers de San Pedro de Uraba

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Countries

Colombia

Other Identifiers

Tecnológico de Antioquia

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id