Effects of supervised high-intensity hardstyle kettlebell training on grip strength and health-related physical fitness in insufficiently active older adults: The BELL pragmatic controlled trial

Abstract

The Ballistic Exercise of the Lower Limb (BELL) trial examined efficacy and safety of a pragmatic hardstyle kettlebell training program in older adults. Insufficiently active men and women aged 59-79 years, were recruited to a 6-month repeated measures study, involving 3-months usual activity and 3-months progressive hardstyle kettlebell training. Health-related physical fitness outcomes included: grip strength [GS], 6-min walk distance [6MWD], resting heart rate [HR], stair-climb [SC], leg extensor strength [LES], hip extensor strength [HES], Sit-To-Stand [STS], vertical jump [CMVJ], five-times floor transfer [5xFT], 1RM deadlift, body composition (DXA), attendance, and adverse events. Sixteen males (68.8 ± 4.6 yrs, 176.2 ± 7.8 cm, 90.7 ± 11.0 kg, 29.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2) and sixteen females (68.6 ± 4.7 yrs, 163.9 ± 5.4 cm, 70.4 ± 12.7 kg, 26.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2) were recruited. Compliance to the supervised exercise program was very high (91.5%). Kettlebell training increased GS (R: MD = 7.1 kg 95% CI [4.9, 9.3], p < 0.001, L: MD = 6.3 kg 95% CI [4.1, 8.4], p < 0.001), 6MWD (41.7 m, 95% CI [17.9, 65.5], p < .001), 1RM (16.2 kg, 95% CI [2.4, 30.0], p = 0.013), 30s STS (3.3 reps, 95% CI [0.9, 5.7], p = 0.003), LES (R: MD = 61.6 N, 95% CI [4.4, 118.8], p = 0.028), HES (L: MD = 21.0 N, 95% CI [4.2, 37.8], p = 0.007), appendicular skeletal lean mass (MD = 0.65 kg, 95% CI [0.08, 1.22], p = 0.016), self-reported health change (17.1%, 95% CI [4.4, 29.8], p = 0.002) and decreased SC time (2.7 sec, 95% CI [0.2, 5.2], p = 0.025), 5xFT time (6.0 sec, 95% CI [2.2, 9.8], p < 0.001) and resting HR (7.4 bpm, 95% CI [0.7, 14.1], p = 0.032). There were four non-serious adverse events. Mean individual training load for group training sessions during the trial was 100,977 ± 9,050 kg. High-intensity hardstyle kettlebell training was well tolerated and improved grip strength and measures of health-related physical fitness in insufficiently active older adults.

Effect of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercise Training on Depressive Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Muscle Strength in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…After removing duplicated studies ( n = 1625), the remaining studies were screened according to the title and the abstract, and then 3838 papers were excluded, leaving 37 full-text papers. Nineteen other papers were excluded because of the following reasons: (a) did not include a control group (Azizan & Justine, 2016; Dionigi, 2007; Fremont & Craighead, 1987; Legrand & Mille, 2009; Meigh et al, 2021; Meneghini et al, 2020; Motl et al, 2005; Pieczyńska et al, 2021; Wikman et al, 2017; Yadav & Agashe, 2018), (b) used various exercise interventions (Brittle et al, 2009; Brown et al, 2009; Chou et al, 2004; Dechamps et al, 2010; Ng et al, 2017), (c) insufficient or irrelevant data (Martins et al, 2011; McCann & Holmes, 1984), (d) subjects with mean age <60 years (Bernard et al, 2015), and (e) control group participants were active (Conradsson et al, 2010). Eighteen studies (Ansai & Rebelatto, 2015; Antunes et al, 2005; Bouaziz et al, 2019; Cassilhas et al, 2007; Clegg et al, 2014; Cunha et al, 2021; bib_Damush_and_Damush_1999Damush & Damush, 1999; Emery & Gatz, 1990; Kekäläinen et al, 2018; Kim et al, 2019, 2021; Kuo et al, 2018; Paw et al, 2004; Pedersen et al, 2017; Sahin et al, 2018; Solà-Serrabou et al, 2019; Swoap et al, 1994; Vankova et al, 2014) met our inclusion criteria and were entered in the meta-analysis (Figure 1).…”

“If somebody had told me I’d feel like I do now, I wouldn’t have believed them…” older adults’ experiences of the BELL trial: a qualitative study

“…The study involved participants from the BELL trial. Full details of the design and conduct of the BELL trial have been published elsewhere [40]. All research activities were conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.…”

“…Data collection took place 6 th -15 th May 2020, commencing three working days after completion of the planned intervention period. A study timeline and changes made due to the covid-19 pandemic, are reported elsewhere [40]. Participants were invited to take part in an in-depth semi-structured interview, for up to an hour.…”

“…The BELL trial intervention was a replication of a community-based program, which had been delivered within a physiotherapy private practice. Based upon the clinically significant effects of kettlebell training [40], and the qualitative results reported in this study, further research is warranted to gain a better understanding of the individual-level characteristics and system-level challenges which are currently limiting the delivery, utilisation, and effectiveness of healthy ageing programs in the community, and to better understand the factors which made the BELL trial successful. Pilates group exercise is widely uses in physiotherapy practice [94].…”

“…Data from younger adults also suggests the potential to improve dynamic balance [39], further adding to its interest in healthcare as an attractive intervention for an ageing population. Findings from the Ballistic Exercise of the Lower Limb (BELL) trial, clearly support its use for improving grip strength, and measures of health-related physical fitness [40].…”