Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
46
result(s) for
"Kettlebells."
Sort by:
The Effect of the Weight and Type of Equipment on Shoulder and Back Muscle Activity in Surface Electromyography during the Overhead Press—Preliminary Report
The overhead press is a multi-joint exercise that has the potential to use a high external load due to the cooperation of many muscle groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the activity of shoulder and back muscles during the overhead press with a kettlebell and a dumbbell. Surface electromyography (EMG) for the anterior and posterior deltoid, upper and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and spinal erectors was analysed for 20 subjects. Participants performed the four trials of pressing kettlebell and dumbbell, weighted at 6 kg, and 70% of one maximum repetition (1RM) in the sitting position. Statistical analysis was performed using a non-parametric Friedman test and a post-hoc test of Dunn Bonferroni. No significant differences were found in the activation of assessed muscles when comparing dumbbell to kettlebell press trials with the same load (6 kg and 70% of 1RM). However, muscle activity of all muscles except the upper trapezius was always higher for kettlebell pressing. Different center of gravity locations in the kettlebell versus the dumbbell can increase shoulder muscle activity during the overhead press. However, more studies are required to confirm these results.
Journal Article
Persistent neuromuscular deficits in the posterior kinetic chain following hamstring strain injury: EMG insights from nordic hamstring curl, kettlebell swing, and supine sliding leg curl
Background
Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are among the most common non-contact injuries in football, often resulting in prolonged rehabilitation, high recurrence rates, and persistent neuromuscular deficits. Although rehabilitation focuses on restoring strength and flexibility, alterations in posterior chain muscle activation patterns may remain undetected, potentially contributing to reinjury risk. This study aimed to compare posterior chain muscle activation patterns between football players with a history of hamstring injury and healthy controls during three functional exercises: Nordic Hamstring Curl (NHC), Kettlebell Swing (KS), and Sliding Single-Leg Curl (SSLC).
Methods
Forty-two male football players (mean age: 23.4 ± 3.1 years; 21 previously injured, 21 healthy controls) participated in the study. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record activation of the biceps femoris long head (BF), gluteus maximus (GM), latissimus dorsi (LD), and iliocostalis lumborum (IL) during each exercise.
Results
Mean activation values were Across all exercises, injured players demonstrated significantly lower muscle activation compared with healthy controls. In NHC, BF (− 23.9%,
p
< 0.001), GM (− 21.3%,
p
< 0.001), LD (− 15.4%,
p
= 0.005), and IL (− 14.6%,
p
= 0.001) activations were reduced in the injured group. During KS, reductions were observed in BF (− 28.7%,
p
< 0.001), GM (− 24.3%,
p
< 0.001), LD (− 17.3%,
p
= 0.008), and IL (− 16.8%,
p
= 0.007). In SSLC, BF (− 20.8%,
p
< 0.001), GM (− 19.7%,
p
< 0.001), LD (− 12.5%,
p
= 0.008), and IL (− 15.8%,
p
= 0.004) activations were significantly lower in injured participants.
Conclusion
The largest differences were found in BF and GM during hip-dominant exercises, with consistent but smaller deficits in LD and IL, indicating a widespread neuromuscular inhibition beyond the hamstring itself. Conclusions: Football players with a history of hamstring injury present persistent deficits in posterior chain muscle activation, particularly in BF and GM, even after return to play. These impairments extend to trunk musculature (LD, IL), suggesting that rehabilitation should incorporate multi-segmental posterior chain retraining, especially in hip-dominant tasks, to mitigate reinjury risk.
Clinical trial registration
: The clinical trial was registered retrospectively on 09 June 2025 under the identifier NCT07171385.
Journal Article
Effects of a Low-Volume Kettlebell Strength Program on Vertical Jump and Isometric Strength in Dancers: A Pilot Study
Objectives: The jumping ability and strength of the lower limbs in dancers are fundamental to their artistic performance. Similarly, the correct placement of the various leg positions, such as parallel and dehors, are essential aspects of dance technique. We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a modified strength program on jumping capacity in parallel and dehors, and to assess whether this type of training improves the isometric strength of dancers. Methods: An experimental research study was conducted with pre- and post-intervention assessments on a group of nine semi-professional dancers (seven women and two men) (X = 20 years and DT = 6.67), with an average weight of 62.12 ± 7.38 kg and a height of 1.67 ± 0.05 m. Body composition, isometric strength in the lower limbs, and vertical jump capacity with feet in parallel and in the dehors position were analyzed. The “Simple and Sinister” kettlebell training protocol was implemented, reducing the number of sessions and the duration of the program while incorporating a progression in load. Results: Significant changes were observed in both the parallel jump and the dehors position; however, body composition and isometric strength, although showing higher values at the end of the intervention for all variables, did not demonstrate significant improvements. Thus, while in the pre-intervention phase, jump capacity was associated with multiple variables, in the post-intervention phase, an inverse association was found only with the percentage of body fat. Conclusions: A 12-week training program with two sessions per week is sufficient to achieve significant changes in the jumping ability of dancers, but not in the isometric strength of the lower limbs.
Journal Article
The Effect of Acute Lumbopelvic Muscular Fatigue on Neuromechanical Contraction Characteristics and Nociception
Background: Previous research has examined the acute effects of high-intensity exercise on muscle contractility, revealing potential interference in reaching peak contraction. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a standardized kettlebell swing protocol on low back musculature contractility, measured by tensiomyography (TMG), and pain sensitivity, measured by pressure algometry. Methods: Forty participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, kettlebell swing, and kettlebell isometric hold. Pre-intervention TMG and pressure pain threshold (PPT) measurements were taken, followed by the intervention and post-intervention measurements. Results: Participants averaged 23.85 years (SD ± 2.73), 162.39 lbs (SD ± 28.69), and 174.29 cm (SD ± 12.45). Baseline ANOVAs showed no significant differences between groups for pre-intervention DM or PPT measurements, nor for demographics (p > 0.05). Although no significant within-group differences in TMG measurements were observed, the kettlebell swing group showed small mean differences in muscle displacement and contraction time for the gluteus maximus with effect sizes ranging from 0.09 to 0.49. Conclusions: The study suggests posterior chain muscles, such as the gluteus maximus, are involved in kettlebell swings. Also, despite the lack of significant TMG differences within groups, the kettlebell swing group exhibited small changes in muscle characteristics, enhancing the understanding of exercise-induced hypoalgesia and posterior chain involvement in resistance exercises.
Journal Article
CrossFit® instructor demographics and practice trends
CrossFit
is an increasingly popular exercise modality that uses high intensity power training. The literature to date regarding CrossFit
has focused on its benefits to VO2 Max, body composition and the motivational variables of participants of CrossFit
. A computerized survey was distributed to CrossFit
instructors using Survey Monkey
(Palo Alto, CA, USA). One hundred and ninety-three CrossFit
instructors responded to the survey. Of these 86.6% (155/179) reported being a certified CrossFit
instructor with 26.7% (48/180) having a bachelor's degree in an exercise-related field. Instructors with a CrossFit
certification have less bachelor's (P=0.04) or master's (P=0.0001) degrees compared to those without a CrossFit
certification, more utilization of Olympic weightlifting (P=0.03), one-on-one teaching (P=0.0001), 1-RM max on snatch (P=0.004), 1-RM on clean and jerk or hang clean (P=0.0003), kettlebell use (P=0.0001) and one-on-one training (P=0.0001). Instructors report differences in their education and differences in use of weightlifting platforms and various types of footwear. Non-certified instructors differ from CrossFit
certified instructors in regards to teaching of Olympic weightlifting and exercise programming.
Journal Article