Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise

Wong, Alexei; Nordvall, Michael; Walters-Edwards, Michelle; Lastova, Kevin; Francavillo, Gwendolyn; Tripken, Jennifer; Figueroa, Arturo

doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000518918.69080.ab

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Coaches and healthcare providers should also note that the cardiovascular demand of kettlebell swing is greater than walking (Thomas et al, 2014) and anticipate that heart rate (HR) will increase with continuous swings (Farrar et al, 2010) potentially to a relatively high percentage of HRmax. Similar effects may also occur when performing multiple sets of swings with short periods of rest between sets (Wong et al, 2017). The magnitude of these cardiovascular responses may also need to be taken into account when prescribing kettlebell swing training to different individuals, especially clinical patients with compromised cardiovascular and/or respiratory function.…”

Section: Rate Of Force Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing performed by an RKC-certified instructor

Meigh

et al. 2021

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Background: The effects of hardstyle kettlebell training are frequently discussed in the strength and conditioning field, yet reference data from a proficient swing is scarce. The aim of this study was to profile the mechanical demands of a two-handed hardstyle swing performed by a Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Instructor. Methods: The subject is a 44-year-old male, body mass 75.6 kg, height 173.5 cm, with 6 years of regular hardstyle kettlebell training since attaining certification in 2013. Two-handed hardstyle swings were performed with a series of incremental weight (8-68 kg) kettlebells. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were obtained from a floor-mounted force platform. Force-time curves (FTCs), peak force, forward force relative to vertical force, rate of force development (RFD) and swing cadence were investigated. Results: Data revealed the FTC of a proficient swing were highly consistent (mean SD = 47 N) and dominated by a single force peak, with a profile that remained largely unchanged with 8-24 kg kettlebells. Pearson correlation analyses revealed a very strong positive correlation in peak force with kettlebell weight (r = 0.95), which increased disproportionately from the lightest to heaviest kettlebells; peak net force increasing from 8.36 ± 0.75 N.kg-1 (0.85 x BW) to 12.82 ± 0.39 N.kg-1 (1.3x BW). There was a strong negative correlation between RFD and kettlebell weight (r = 0.82) decreasing from 39.2 N.s-1.kg-1 to 21.5 N.s-1.kg-1. There was a very strong positive correlation in forward ground reaction force with kettlebell weight (r = 0.99), expressed as a ratio of vertical ground reaction, increasing from 0.092 (9.2%) to 0.205 (20.5%). Swing cadence exceeded 40 swings per minute (SPM) at all weights. Conclusion: Our findings challenge some of the popular beliefs of the hardstyle kettlebell swing. Consistent with hardstyle practice and previous kinematic analysis of expert and novice, force-time curves show a characteristic single large force peak, differentiating passive from active shoulder flexion. Ground reaction force did not increase proportionate to bell weight, with a magnitude of forward force smaller than described in practice. These results could be useful for coaches and trainers using kettlebells with the intent to improve athletic performance, and healthcare providers using the kettlebell swing for therapeutic purposes. Findings from this study were used to inform the BELL Trial, a pragmatic clinical trial of kettlebell training with older adults. www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12619001177145.

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Section: Rate Of Force Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing performed by an RKC-certified instructor

Meigh

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…Achieving a consistent cadence of 40 SPM with a comfortable (lighter) kettlebell appears to be an appropriate strategy for the novice individual learning the swing. Health professionals should note that the cardiovascular demand of kettlebell swings may be higher than walking (Thomas et al 2014) and should anticipate a high heart rate and cardiovascular response (Schnettler et al 2009; Wong et al 2017) and program for the individual accordingly.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing in novice older adults: an exploratory profile

Meigh

Hing

Schram

et al. 2021

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Background: Understanding the mechanical demands of an exercise and its technique increases clinical confidence when assessing the benefits and risks of a prescribed exercise. This study profiles the mechanical demands of the hardstyle kettlebell swing in novice older adults and compares peak force with kettlebell deadlifts. These data will help therapists choose the most appropriate kettlebell exercise (deadlifts or swings) and weights for progressing kettlebell training for older adults. Methods: Thirty-five insufficiently physically active, community-dwelling males and females (59-79 years) were recruited. Two-handed hardstyle swings were performed with 8-16 kg and deadlifts with 8-24 kg and 8-32 kg for females and males, respectively. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were obtained from a floor-mounted force platform. Force-time curves (FTCs), peak force, forward force relative to vertical force, rate of force development (RFD) and swing cadence were investigated. Peak GRF was compared by exercise and by sex, with RFD reported for swings. Results: For kettlebells weights up to 16 kg, paired samples T-tests show a large exercise effect (δ > 1.4) with peak force significantly higher for swings than deadlifts. Data shows: (i) significantly higher peak force during swings than deadlifts (δ = 1.77), reaching 4.5 (1.0) N.kg-1, (ii) peak force during an 8 kg swing was greater than a 32kg deadlift, (iii) no significant difference in normalised peak force between males and females performing kettlebell swings, but a moderately large effect size during deadlifts (males > females, δ = 0.69), (iv) mean RFD of 19.9 (4.7) N.s-1.kg-1 with a very weak, positive correlation with kettlebell weight (y = 14.4 + 0.32𝑥), and trivial or non-significant effect of sex, (v) mean forward force equal to 5.5% of vertical force during swings, increasing from 3.8 (1.6) % with 8 kg to 1.7 (2.6) % with 16kg. Conclusion: Where GRF is a therapeutic target, kettlebell swings with an 8 kg kettlebell could have similar effects to much heavier deadlifts (>24 kg). Compared to kettlebell deadlifts, the performance of kettlebell swings may be an easier, more convenient, and more appealing option for older adults in a primary care setting or at home. The hardstyle swing with 8 kg has the potential to produce double bodyweight in GRF and might be a suitable exercise to improve lower limb RFD and physical function in older adults. Findings from this study were used to inform the BELL Trial, a pragmatic clinical trial of kettlebell training with older adults. www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12619001177145.

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“…Body fat percentage was acquired from the skinfold thickness of three different points (i.e., pectoral, quadriceps and abdominal) on the right side of the body using a calliper (Lafayette calliper, model 01128). All measurements were calculated based on Jackson Pollack's body fat percentage equations (22) .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thereafter, participants performed twelve consecutive rounds of the two-hand kettlebell swing exercise including (30 s of exercise and 30 s of rest) using a 16-kg kettlebell (Wirecutter), a weight that has been shown to induce significant metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress and seems to be standardised in prior kettlebell exercise research (24) . The swing exercises were performed at a rate of 1-s eccentric/1-s concentric phase (15 swings per round) and were controlled by using a metronome (22) . The participants were verbally encouraged, and feedback was given on their performance by an experienced trainer.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of l-citrulline supplementation on nitric oxide and antioxidant markers after high-intensity interval exercise in young men: a randomised controlled trial

2021

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L-citrulline (L-Cit) is a nonessential amino acid that stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production and improves exercise performance by reducing muscle damage indices; however, the direct benefits of L-Cit on antioxidant markers are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine antioxidant responses to high-intensity interval exercise following acute L-Cit supplementation. Nine young men (21 ± 1 years) participated in a double-blind crossover study in which they received 12 g of L-Cit and placebo (PL) an hour prior to high-intensity interval exercise on two occasions, separated by a seven-day washout period. Blood samples were obtained before (PRE), immediately after (IP), 10 (10P), and 30 min after exercise (30P) from the cubital vein using standard procedures. Serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and NO metabolites (NOx) were measured. The exercise protocol significantly elevated SOD (p = 0.01) and GPx (p = 0.048) from PRE to 10P in the L-Cit group with greater changes than the PL group. CAT concentrations increased IP (p = 0.014) and remained elevated at 10P (p = 0.03) and 30P (p = 0.015) in both the L-Cit and PL conditions. NOx concentrations increased IP (p = 0.05) in the L-Cit group with greater changes than PL group in PRE to IP, PRE to 10P, and PRE to 30P (p < 0.05). Our data indicate that L-Cit supplementation (single 12 g dose pre-exercise) induces improvements in antioxidant markers following a session of high-intensity interval exercise in young men.

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Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing performed by an RKC-certified instructor

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing performed by an RKC-certified instructor

Force profile of the two-handed hardstyle kettlebell swing in novice older adults: an exploratory profile

Effects of l-citrulline supplementation on nitric oxide and antioxidant markers after high-intensity interval exercise in young men: a randomised controlled trial

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