Core and Lower limb Activations of the two-handed and Single-Handed Kettlebell Exercises

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the electromyography (EMG) of lower erector spinae (ES), biceps femoris (BF), rectus abdominis (RA), rectus femoris (RF), gluteus maximus (GMAX), gluteus medius(GMED) at dominant side of the trunk and lower limb in two-handed and single-handed kettlebell exercises. Methods/Statistical analysis: Twenty-eight healthy men participated in this study. During each kettlebell exercise, they were performed until the activity patterns of the graphs come out correctly with a 3kg kettlebell. A maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of unilateral each muscles was recorded. EMG activity was recorded during both the two-handed kettlebell exercise (THKE) and single-handed kettlebell exercise( SHKE) in a randomized order. Normalized muscular activation of the six muscles was calculated from EMG data. Findings: As a result, ES, BF and RF showed significant difference according to kettlebell exercise (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01). ES was a significant difference between two-handed and single-handed. BF was a significant difference all between the swing movements and rest exercises. RF was a significant difference between kettlebell swing exercises and kettlebell goblet squat. Improvements/Applications: In conclusion, this article is expected to affect as information to be used the kettlebell exercises for patients with particular muscle weakness or low back pain in clinical.