The Effects of Weighted Vests on Bone Health: What is Known About the Use of Weighted Vests on Bone Health Outcomes for Middle-Aged and Older Adults?

This project is a scoping review examining the effects of weighted vest interventions on bone health outcomes in adults. The purpose is to systematically map existing research, summarize study populations, intervention characteristics, comparators, outcomes, and measurement methods, and identify gaps in the literature. Weighted vests are wearable devices that add external load during daily activities or exercise and have been proposed as a practical strategy to increase skeletal loading and support bone strength, particularly in middle-aged and older adults at risk of bone loss. Findings will inform future research, highlight effective intervention strategies, and provide a foundation for clinical or lifestyle recommendations regarding weighted vest use for bone health.