Effects of kettlebell mass on lower-body joint kinetics during a kettlebell swing exercise

Levine, Nicholas; Hasan, Mohammad; Avalos, Marco; Lee, Sang‐Woo; Rigby, Brandon R; Kwon, Young‐Hoo

doi:10.1080/14763141.2020.1726442

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…With kettlebell weights from 10-20% BW, Levine and colleagues (Levine et al, 2020) reported peak GRF from 1.53 (0.2) to 1.67 (1.7) BW. The ES with comparable weights in the present study, was very large, ranging from  = 2.09 (8 kg, 10% BW) to  = 2.72 (12 kg, 15% BW), with a mean probability of superiority >95%.…”

Section: Peak Forcementioning

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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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: Peak Forcementioning

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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“…3 ) and the computed NJT were normalized to total (body + barbell) mass. NJT acting on hip, knee, and ankle joints were calculated using an inverse dynamics procedure: 32

where

is the segment,

is the number of segments,

is the time-derivative of the local angular momentum of each segment that is due to the rotation of the segment about its CM,

is the position vector drawn from a joint center to each segment's CM,

is the time-derivative of the linear momentum of each segment,

is the torque produced due to the rotation of a segment about the joint,

is the weight of each segment,

is the torque produced due to the weight of each segment,

is the position vector drawn from a joint center to the center-of-pressure (CP),

is the GRF vector,

is the torque produced due to GRF, and

is the twisting torque acting at the CP.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between physical characteristics and biomechanics of lower extremity during the squat

Kim

Miller

Tallarico

et al. 2021

Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness

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Background/objective There is a lack of information about relationship between physical characteristics and biomechanics of the lower extremity during the squat. Additionally, studies did not examine sex-related differences. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between physical characteristics and biomechanics of the lower extremity during the squat, and to determine if any sex differences are present. Methods Fifty three participants recruited (21.82 ± 2.3 years; 75.56 ± 14.98 kg; 171.57 ± 8.38 cm) performed three squats with 75% of one repetition maximum. Femur to tibia length ratio, hip and ankle joints’ flexibilities, and relative muscular strength were measured and used as physical characteristics. Net joint torques (NJT) and flexion angles of the lower extremity were extracted as dependent variables. Multiple regression (stepwise) analysis was conducted to examine the relationships with physical characteristics being factors. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine intercorrelations among the dependent variables. Results Relative muscular strength was related to hip NJT and knee flexion angle, and hip flexibility was related to ankle dorsiflexion. Hip and knee NJT showed moderate correlations with the corresponding flexion angles (r = 0.48-0.53; p < .01). Ankle dorsiflexion angle showed weak to moderate correlations with hip NJT and hip flexion angle (r = −0.36-0.50; p < .01) and a moderate correlation with knee NJT. No significant sex difference was observed (r = 0.52; p < .05). Conclusion Biomechanics of the lower extremity has been shown to correlate more with relative muscular strength and joint flexibility than with leg length ratio.

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“…Kinematic differences between novice and expert have been described (Back et al 2016) with significant, large effect size differences in GRF between novice and Instructor (Meigh et al 2021), however, these data are from healthy young adults. Data from young active populations are informative and provide important reference points (Bullock et al 2017; Lake et al 2014; Lake & Lauder 2012b; Levine et al 2020; McGill & Marshall 2012; Ross et al 2017), but these cannot be generalised to older adults, especially those who are sedentary, insufficiently active or living with chronic health conditions. Without population-specific data, healthcare providers are just as likely to over-dose as under-dose the person in their care, potentially causing harm, or having no positive effect at all.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kinematic differences between novice and expert have been described (24) with significant, large effect size differences in GRF between novice and instructor (18) , however, these data are from healthy young adults. Data from young active populations are informative and provide important reference points (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) , but these cannot be generalised to older adults, especially those who insufficiently active, or living with chronic health conditions. Our research question centers on 'force', due to its emphasis and influence in kettlebell practice -"An experienced girevik is playing a game of "force pool," expertly rebounding the force generated by the clean from the ground."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Meigh

Hing

Schram

et al. 2021

Preprint

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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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Effects of kettlebell mass on lower-body joint kinetics during a kettlebell swing exercise

Cited by 11 publications

References 30 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

Relationships between physical characteristics and biomechanics of lower extremity during the squat

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

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