Authors
Dustin Dunnick, Arkansas Tech University, Department of Health and Physical Education, USA
Keoni Kins, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, USA
Dharini Bhammar, The Ohio State University, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Tobacco Research, USA
Brian K. Schilling, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(4): 4009, 2026.
DOI: 10.70252/IJES2026409
Abstract
Tactical athletes (law enforcement, military, firefighters, etc) face physically demanding occupational duties, often while wearing body armor that could compromise their exercise performance. It is unknown how wearing body armor influences exercise performance and whether exercising while wearing body armor influences the inspiratory muscle’s pressure generation capabilities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how body armor affects repeated sprint performance and inspiratory muscle strength. Twelve college-aged males (n=12) performed the 35-m Running Anaerobic Sprint tests under three conditions (control [CNTL], unloaded plate carrier [UNL], and loaded plate carrier [LOAD]). Participants had their maximal inspiratory pressure recorded pre- and post-sprint tests. There were no differences between the conditions for inspiratory muscle strength during the pre-sprint test. Post sprint test, inspiratory muscle strength significantly increased (p = 0.008, d = 0.26) independent of condition. The small increase could be due to an acute potentiation effect brought upon by the high-intenstiy sprinting with short recovery. The LOAD condition had a large, statistically significantly higher total running anaerobic sprint test time (p < 0.001, d = 1.5) with a repeated sprint performance that was ~10% slower than the CNTL. A loaded plate- carrier body armor reduces repeated sprint performance but does not affect inspiratory muscle strength. Tactical athletes should aim to train with their style of body armor to reduce the adverse effects of wearing body armor during repeated anaerobic activity.
Recommended Citation
Dunnick, Dustin; Kins, Keoni; Bhammar, Dharini; Schilling, Brian K. (2026) “The Effect of Body Armor on Repeated Sprint Performance and Inspiratory Muscle Strength,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(4):4009.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/IJES2026409