A weighted vest is a garment worn over the torso, containing small, evenly distributed weights that provide uniform resistance. This device adds a measurable load to the body’s mass, creating constant downward pressure. This added resistance enhances the intensity of exercise or delivers specific sensory input to the nervous system. Weighted vests are utilized across a wide range of applications, from clinical therapy settings to high-intensity fitness training.
How Deep Pressure Stimulates the Nervous System
The effectiveness of a weighted vest starts with deep pressure touch (DPT). This constant, firm pressure across the torso activates the proprioceptive system, which is the body’s sense of its position and movement in space. The joint and muscle receptors send organizing information to the central nervous system, which results in a profound calming effect.
Applying DPT triggers a shift in the body’s autonomic functions. It deactivates the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight-or-flight” response responsible for heightened alert and anxiety. Simultaneously, the pressure activates the parasympathetic nervous system, initiating the “rest-and-digest” state.
This neurological transition slows physiological signs of stress, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It also promotes the release of neurochemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with improved mood and well-being. By decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, the weighted vest helps the user achieve a more regulated state.
Therapeutic Uses for Sensory Regulation and Focus
The calming effect makes the vest a tool for managing symptoms of various neurological and behavioral conditions. The continuous proprioceptive input helps individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) better process environmental stimuli. This input increases awareness of the body’s boundaries, helping to filter out distracting external sensations.
For people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the vest’s stabilizing pressure can reduce involuntary movements and fidgeting. By providing an organizing sensory anchor, the device may prolong attention span during tasks requiring sustained concentration, such as classroom work. The regulated sensory input allows the user to allocate cognitive resources more efficiently toward executive functions.
The deep pressure stimulation can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and sensory overwhelm. This is beneficial for individuals who experience heightened sensory responsivity, allowing them to remain in a calmer state. The vest is generally integrated as part of a broader sensory or occupational therapy program to support self-regulation skills.
Enhancing Physical Performance and Bone Health
Beyond neurological benefits, the weighted vest advances fitness and improves physiological health. Adding mass to the body substantially increases the metabolic demand of any movement. Studies show that wearing a vest loaded to 10% of body mass during walking increases energy expenditure and oxygen consumption proportionally.
This increased load forces muscles, particularly those in the core and lower body, to work harder against gravity, turning routine activity into resistance training. This enhanced effort leads to measurable improvements in strength and power over time. Wearing a weighted vest during walking accelerates caloric burn, making it a time-efficient strategy for cardiovascular endurance and weight management.
The vest is also a direct tool for promoting bone density, based on Wolff’s Law. This law states that bone tissue adapts to the mechanical stress placed upon it. The added weight increases mechanical loading on the skeleton, stimulating osteoblasts to build new bone tissue. This makes the weighted vest a tangible way to mitigate the risk of osteoporosis, especially for postmenopausal women and older adults.