Electromyographical Comparison of Muscle Activation Patterns Across Three Commonly Performed Kettlebell Exercises.

Lyons, BC, Mayo, JJ, Tucker, WS, Wax, B, and Hendrix, RC. Electromyographical comparison of muscle activation patterns across 3 commonly performed kettlebell exercises. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2363-2370, 2017-The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activation patterns of 3 different kettlebell (KB) exercises using electromyography (EMG). Fourteen resistance-trained subjects completed a 1-arm swing (Swing), 1-arm swing style snatch (Snatch), and a 1-arm clean (Clean) using a self-selected 8 to 10 repetition maximum load for each exercise. Trial sessions consisted of subjects performing 5 repetitions of each KB exercise. Mean EMG was used to assess the muscle activation of the biceps brachii, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, erector spinae (ES), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris, contralateral external oblique (EO), and gluteus maximus during each lift using surface electrodes. The mean EMG was normalized using maximal voluntary contractions obtained from manual muscle testing. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the muscle activation patterns of the ES (Swing > Snatch), EO (Snatch, Clean > Swing), and VL (Swing > Clean) across the 3 KB exercises. We conclude that although the KB Swing, Snatch, and Clean are total body exercises, they place different demands on the ES, contralateral EO, and the VL. Therefore, KBs represent an authentic alternative for lifters, and the Swing, Snatch, and Clean are not redundant exercises.

Improvements in cardiometabolic risk markers, aerobic fitness, and functional performance following a physical therapy weight loss program.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of a current physical therapy and weight loss program model on exercise performance, physical function, and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese patients. DESIGN: Retrospective pre-post design. SUBJECTS: A total of 192 patients who previously underwent testing of anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular biomarkers, and lower extremity function scale (LEFS) were included. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in body weight [5.91 ± 3.47 (95% CI, 5.4 to 6.4) kg; p < 0.001; n = 187] and waist circumference [7.1 ± 5 (95% CI, 6.3 to 7.9) cm; p < 0.001; n = 187]. Submaximal exercise capacity (VO2ex) increased by [5.29 ± 4.74 (95% CI, 4.38 to 6.19) ml/kg/min; p < 0.001; n = 107], and lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) improved by [9 ± 11 (95% CI, 7 to 12) scale points; p < 0.001; n = 75]. Both systolic (pre SBP: 125.7 ± 15 vs. post SBP: 118.4 ± 12 mmHg; p < 0.001; n = 150) and diastolic (pre DBP: 78.5 ± 10 vs. post DBP: 74 ± 8.5 mmHg; p < 0.001; n = 150) blood pressures as well as fasting blood glucose (pre FBG: 112.8 ± 37 vs. post FBG: 99 ± 18 mg/dL; p < 0.001; n = 132) were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the importance and significance of weight loss in improving physical function and cardiometabolic risk profiles across a cohort of outpatient physical therapy patients. Our study also suggests that weight loss can be achieved in a comprehensive exercise intensive physical therapy program for obese patients.