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abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of kettlebell exercises in the aspect of shaping the special efficiency characteristics required by American football players.
Material/MethodsThekettlebellstraininggroup(n=12)andtheAmericanfootballgroup(n=12),whoused trainingtypicaloftheirdiscipline,weresubjectedtoafitnesstestinUSfootball,consisting ofa40-yardrunspeedtest,anagilitytestintwoshuttleruns,ajumpingtestinCounter MovementJump(CMJ),andapowerandstrengthendurancetests.
ResultsIntestsofspeed,agility,jumpingandpower,therewerenosignificantdifferencesbetween footballers and kettlebell exercisers, while strength endurance testing (benchpress with 100kg)andonespecialagilitytest(twoshuttleruns)showedthattrainingwithkettlebells develops these qualities of physical fitness significantly worse than standard football practice(p<0.05).
ConclusionsKettlebelltrainingcanbebeneficialforshapingmostcharacteristicsofthespecialefficiency neededinAmericanfootballbutitisnotabletocompletelyreplacethetraditionalfootball strengthtrainingprogram,basedonexerciseswithbarbells.