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Kettlebell Swings and Paraspinal Muscle Function

The Immediate Effects of a Standardized Kettlebell Swing Protocol on Lumbar Paraspinal Muscle Function

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06069271
Enrollment
41
Registered
2023-10-05
Start date
2020-03-04
Completion date
2023-01-15
Last updated
2023-10-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Exercise Training

Brief summary

The purpose of this randomized control trial is to determine the extent of muscle fatigue in the lumbar erector spinae musculature secondary to a high-intensity interval kettlebell swing protocol utilizing TMG previously published by Jay et. al in 2011.

Detailed description

Background: Kettlebell swings are commonly utilized to target the lumbar erector spinae and lower body musculature. This exercise exhibits distinct loading properties that requires cyclical contraction of the trunk extensors and posterior chain, potentially explaining its novel influence on muscle contractility. Tensiomyography (TMG) is a reliable, noninvasive, passive technique that may be used to examine muscular fatigue produced by kettlebell swings. Purpose: The purpose of this randomized control trial is to determine the extent of muscle fatigue in the lumbar erector spinae musculature secondary to a high-intensity interval kettlebell swing protocol utilizing TMG previously published by Jay et. al in 2011. Subjects: Forty-one adults between the ages of 18 and 45 were recruited. Inclusion criteria included subjects with no recent history of low back pain and clearance by the physical activity readiness questionnaire. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to either a kettlebell swing group (KBS; n=21) or a control group (CON; n=20) who only performed the unloaded warm up. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 24-hours post-intervention for bilateral erector spinae fatigue, measured by five TMG parameters (Dm, Tc, Tr, Td, Ts).

Interventions

The intervention group completed two-handed Russian KBSs using an interval training protocol outlined by Jay et al.10 involving 30 seconds of work followed by 30 seconds of rest for 10 total intervals. Prior to completing the intervention, participants completed a general warmup consisting of 10 non-weighted squats, 10 non-weighted dead-lifts, and 10 dowel rod shoulder flexion repetitions. Participants were instructed to perform all warm-up activities at an intensity of 70% of maximal effort using a Rate of Perceived Exertion scale(RPE).

Sponsors

University of Central Florida
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Assessor was blinded to group assignment

Intervention model description

Randomized Control Trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Ages of 18 and 45 years of age. * Clear PAR-Q

Exclusion criteria

* history of low back pain * pre-existing injuries * If YES was the response to any of the seven questions in the PAR-Q, the participant was deemed to be unable to exercise safely.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
TensiomyographyBaseline, immediate after exercise, 24 hours after exerciseResearch has progressed to support the test-retest and inter-rater reliability using TMG for measurement of muscle contraction. TMG demonstrates good to excellent relative reliability(0.80-0.99) and inter-rater ICC between 0.77-0.97 Across all five TMG parameters.4-7

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026