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

Abstract

Abstract:This study compared the physiological, perceptual and mechanical responses to kettlebell swings at different loads and swing speeds. Following familiarization 16 strength trained participants (10 males, six females, mean age ± SD = 23 ± 2.9) performed four trials: 2 min kettlebell swings with an 8 kg kettlebell at a fast cadence; 2 min kettlebell swings with an 8 kg kettlebell at a slow cadence; 4 min kettlebell swings with a 4 kg kettlebell at a fast cadence; 4 min kettlebell swings with a 4 kg kettlebell at a slow cadence. Repeated measured analysis of variance indicated no significant differences in peak blood lactate or peak net vertical force across loads and cadences (P > 0.05). Significant main effect for time for heart rate indicated that heart rate was higher at the end of each bout than at mid-point (P = 0.001). A significant Load X cadence interaction for rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (P = 0.030) revealed that RPE values were significantly higher in the 8 kg slow cadence condition compared to the 4 kg slow (P = 0.002) and 4 kg fast (P = 0.016) conditions. In summary, this study indicates that the physiological and mechanical responses to kettlebell swings at 4 kg and 8 kg loads and at fast and slow cadence were similar, whereas the perceptual response is greater when swinging an 8 kg kettlebell at slow cadence.

Kettlebell training in clinical practice: a scoping review

“…Training style/technique was unclear or not reported in 21 studies (43%). Three studies were given 2 category allocations [57–59] and 3 were uncategorised, deemed incompatible for synthesis [60–62].…”

“…Researchers suggested that the resultant shoulder-dominant exercise likely inflated the physiological variables. In addition, swings have been reported to become perceptually harder with increasing bell weight [59], and reduced rest periods have significantly increased metabolic response when volume-matched with low load kettlebells [87]. The effect of different recovery strategies on lactate clearance following two-handed swings to volitional failure has been reported [90].…”

“…Kettlebell training appears to induce a cardiometabolic response sufficient to improve cardiovascular fitness [1, 59, 84, 85, 87, 88, 91–96] provided that the dose (kettlebell weight, volume load and work:rest ratio) is appropriate for the individual and sufficient to provide a supraphysiological load. Effects have often been over-reported, and reliable clinically meaningful effects remain to be demonstrated in a high quality randomised controlled trial.…”

Video tracking and force platform measurements of the kettlebell lifts long cycle and snatch

“…Kettlebell sport originated in the 1700s [1] in Russia where the first recorded competition was held in 1948 [2]. Since about the year 2000, kettlebells have become a part of the mainstream fitness industry, functional fitness and CrossFit, and the sport is becoming increasingly popular [3].…”

Acute Effect of Kettlebell Swings on Sprint Performance

“…This would benefit track and field athletes more so than athletes involved in other sports (e.g., soccer, basketball, rugby) since the PAP effects will only last a short period of time. Whilst the PAP effect is generally observed with relative loads ≥ 60% 1RM [ 17 ], the loads used with KBS are typically prescribed based on a specific absolute load and have not exceeded 32 kg [ 26 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. One possible reason for not expressing KBS loads based on a % 1RM could be due to the manner KBS are performed i.e., rapidly, which is not suited for 1RM testing.…”