Predicting Jump Performance Using Biomechanics Of Various Versions Of The Kettlebell Swings

Abstract

Research on kettlebell (KB) and indian club (IC) training is limited, particularly related to its transferability to power development. Initial research suggests KB training may be as effective for the development of vertical jump performance as more traditional strength training. However, to date there are no studies examining the relationship between KB or IC swing performance and vertical jump performance. PURPOSE: To determine how different styles of KB and IC swings predict vertical and broad jump flight time. METHODS: Fifteen active and healthy adults with KB swing experience participated in a 3D biomechanical evaluation of their overhead KB swing (OKS), shoulder height KB swing (SKS), indian club swings (IC), vertical jumps (VJ) and broad jumps (BJ). Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during three consecutive 10 repetition trials of each of the swing movements. Peak sagittal plane joint angles and joint moments as well as vertical and anterior-posterior ground reaction forces were extracted for the down and up portions of the swing movement. Extracted variables for the right side were entered into a stepwise regression to identify which variables predicted vertical jump flight time and broad jump flight time. Variables were retained if the model was statistically significant at p< .05, and each variable was extracted if the variable caused the model to exceed p=.10. RESULTS: Biomechanical variables extracted from the OKS significantly explained VJ flight time (r-squared = .56+/- .06) and BJ flight time (r-squared = .30+/- .05). Similarly, kinematic and kinetic variables during the SKS significantly explained the VJ flight time (r-squared = .93+/- .02) and BJ flight time (r-squared = .57+/- .04). Finally, biomechanical variables during the IC performance significantly explained the VJ flight time (r-squared = .72+/- .04) and the BJ flight time (r-squared = .34+/- .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that biomechanics during kettlebell and indian club swings explain a large percentage of vertical and broad jump performance. Surprisingly, the greatest amount of variability in jumping performance was explained by variables present in the IC pattern. Therefore, power development from the indian club swing pattern may have the greatest potential to transfer into jumping performance.