• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.308-313
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different kettlebell mass (30%, 40%, and 50% of the body mass) on kinematics and kinetic variables of kettlebell swing. Method: Total of 16 healthy male who had at least 1 year of kettlebell training experience were participated in this study (age: 31.69 ± 3.46 yrd., height: 173.38 ± 4.84 cm, body mass: 74.53 ± 6.45 kg). In this study, a 13-segments whole-body model (upper trunk, lower trunk, pelvis, both side of forearm, upperarm, thigh, and shank) was used and 26 reflective markers were attached to the body to identify the segments during the movement. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 4 channeled EMG was performed to find the effect of kettlebell mass on its swing. To verify the kettlebell mass effect, a one-way ANOVA with a repeated measure was used and the statistical significance level was set at 𝛼=.05. Results: Firstly, in all lower extremity joints and thoracic vertebrae, a statistically significant change in angle was shown according to an increase in kettlebell mass during kettlebell swing (p<.05). Secondly, in both the up-swing and down-swing phases, the knee joint and ankle joint ROM showed a statistically significant increase as the kettlebell mass increased (p<.05) but no statistically significant difference was found in the hip joint and thoracic spine (p>.05). Lastly, the hamstrings muscle activity was statistically significantly increased as the kettlebell mass increased during up-swing phases (p<.05). Also, as the kettlebell mass increased in P4 of the down swing phase, the gluteus maximus showed a statistically significantly increased muscle activation, whereas the rectus femoris showed a statistically significantly decreased muscle activation (p <.05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, hip extension decreased and knee extension increased at 40% and 50% of body mass, and the spine also failed to maintain neutrality and increased flexion. Also, when kettlebell swings are performed with 50% of body mass, synergistic muscle dominance appears over 30% and 40% of body mass, which is judged to have a risk of potential injury. Therefore, it is thought that for beginners who start kettlebell exercise, swing practice should be performed with 30% of body mass. In addition, even in the case of experienced seniors, as the weight increases, the potential injury risk may increase, so it is thought that caution should be exercised when performing swings with 40% and 50% of body mass. In conclusion, it is thought that increasing the weight after sufficiently training with 30% of the weight of all subjects performing kettlebell swing is a way to maximize the exercise effect as well as prevent injury.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2016

Objective: The purposes of this study were to compare the kinematics of a two-arm kettlebell swing between experts and beginners and to identify the correct postures and biomechanical key points in an attempt to prevent sports injuries induced by a kettlebell swing. Methods: Four experts (height, $169.7{\pm}1.5cm$; weight, $70.5{\pm}1.8kg$; age, $32.0{\pm}1.0years$) licensed to teach kettlebell exercises and three beginners (height, $173.7{\pm}4.1cm$; weight, $78.3{\pm}3.8kg$; age, $30.0{\pm}1.4years$) with no kettlebell exercise experience participated in this study. Each participant performed 15 repetitions of a two-arm kettlebell swing using a 16-kg weight. Joint angles, angular velocities, and peak angular velocity sequences were calculated and compared between the two groups. Results: Large ranges of motion (ROM) of the pelvic angle and hip joints were detected in the experts, while beginners showed greater ROM of the shoulder joint. Peak angular velocity magnitudes and sequences were significantly different between the two groups. Experts lifted the kettlebell upward using the hip joints, pelvis, and shoulder joints (proximal to distal order) sequentially and lowered it using the reverse order of peak angular velocities from the shoulder to hip joints. Conclusion: Mobility of the pelvic segment and hip joint are required, while stability of the other joints is needed to produce appropriate two-arm kettlebell swings. The activation and coordination of the gluteal and hamstring muscles are key points in kettlebell exercises.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical comparisons of kettlebell two-arm swings after different somatosensory interventions on joint ranges of motion (ROM) and muscle activations. Method: Fourteen kettelbell novices (age: $22.92{\pm}3.23yrs$, mass: $75.75{\pm}9.94kg$, height: $172.03{\pm}5.49cm$), consisting of male college students, participated in this study and performed two-arm kettlebell swings in different conditions. Three different somatosensory interventions were the applications of heavy mass kettlebell (20 kg), taping on gluteus muscles, and unstable mat condition. All subjects performed pre-intervention swings and post-intervention swings, respectively. Statistical analysis were performed on results of joint kinematics and electromyographies of major muscles. Results: Results showed significant increases in ROM of hip and decreases in ROM of shoulder after unstable mat trials. In addition, the application of unstable mat during kettlebell swings induced higher muscle activations in gluteus maximus muscle during only upward phase of two-arm kettlebell swings. Conclusion: For beginner, the application of unstable surface would increase in hip joint ranges of motion with enhancement of gluteus muscles.