Mechanical Demands of Kettlebell Swing Exercise

Abstract

The aims of this study were to establish mechanical demands of kettlebell swing exercise and provide context by comparing them to mechanical demands of back squat and jump squat exercise. Sixteen men performed 2 sets of 10 swings with 16, 24, and 32 kg, 2 back squats with 20, 40, 60, and 80% 1-repetition maximum (1RM), and 2 jump squats with 0, 20, 40, and 60% 1RM. Sagittal plane motion and ground reaction forces (GRFs) were recorded during swing performance, and GRFs were recorded during back and jump squat performances. Net impulse, and peak and mean propulsion phase force and power applied to the center of mass (CM) were obtained from GRF data and kettlebell displacement and velocity from motion data. The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that all swing CM measures were maximized during the 32-kg condition but that velocity of the kettlebell was maximized during the 16-kg condition; displacement was consistent across different loads. Peak and mean force tended to be greater during back and jump squat performances, but swing peak and mean power were greater than back squat power and largely comparable with jump squat power. However, the highest net impulse was recorded during swing exercise with 32 kg (276.1 ± 45.3 N·s vs. 60% 1RM back squat: 182.8 ± 43.1 N·s, and 40% jump squat: 231.3 ± 47.1 N·s). These findings indicate a large mechanical demand during swing exercise that could make swing exercise a useful addition to strength and conditioning programs that aim to develop the ability to rapidly apply force.

The Effect of Kettlebell Swing Load and Cadence on Physiological, Perceptual and Mechanical Variables

“…In their study, 16 males performed two sets of 10 kettlebell swings with 16, 24, and 32 kg kettlebells. Lake and Lauder [8] reported that swing mean and peak power was greater than power recorded during a back squat and comparable with power recorded from a jump squat.…”

“…To date, studies examining kettlebell science have tended to focus on either physiological variables [5][6][7] or biomechanical variables [8,9]. A number of studies have also compared kettlebell exercise to treadmill running [7,10].…”

“…Mechanically focused studies of kettlebell exercise have reported that kettlebell exercise results in a hip-hinge squat pattern, eliciting rapid muscle activation-relaxation cycles, opposite in polarity to that of traditional Olympic weightlifting techniques [9]. Other work [8] has reported on the mechanical demands of the kettlebell swing specifically. In their study, 16 males performed two sets of 10 kettlebell swings with 16, 24, and 32 kg kettlebells.…”

Magnitude and Relative Distribution of Kettlebell Snatch Force-Time Characteristics

“…Research has demonstrated similarities between mechanical output from 2-handed swing exercise, which is illustrated in Figure 1, and back squat and jump squat exercise (10).…”

“…Interest in the relative benefits of including kettlebell exercises, like the 2-handed swing, in athlete and general population training programs has recently increased (2,9,10,11,12,13,15,18). Research has demonstrated similarities between mechanical output from 2-handed swing exercise, which is illustrated in Figure 1, and back squat and jump squat exercise (10).…”