Kettlebell Training Measured Across Power and Performance

Effects of a Regimented Kettlebell Training Program Across Measures of Power and Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance benefits of supplementing Army standard Physical Readiness Training (PRT) with a defined kettlebell (KB) deadlift and swing training program as compared to standalone PRT. Power and performance will be measured on horizontal (broad) and vertical jumps, 40 yard sprint, 60 yard shuttle, and the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). It is hypothesized that the unique force distributions of kettlebell training will promote improved power, particularly across the horizontal plane, when compared to standalone Army PRT. Findings will potentially provide insight as to how Army units can effectively utilize kettlebells to further diversify their training programs.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Weight Lifting
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kettlebell training; Other: Army Physical Readiness Training

Detailed Description

A sample of 140 subjects will be recruited from the remedial physical training population of the Corps of Cadets. This will be achieved through regular communication with company level Tactical Officers (TAC) and Physical Development Officers (PDO). Upon consent, unit integrity will be maintained as the teams of Cadets will be randomized to either the Army standard PRT group or the KB group. Once groups are assigned, PDO's will be provided with their training calendars for the upcoming eight week period and a kettlebell safety/familiarization session will be arranged for all units in the KB group.

Prior to the start of training, all subjects will undergo a pre-assessment on the following performance measures: broad jump, vertical jump, 40 yard sprint and 60 yard shuttle. Current APFT scores will be collected from the West Point Academy Management System (AMS). After the assessment, those assigned to the PRT group will conduct training in accordance with Army Field Manual 7-22 (sustainment phase activity). The KB group will conduct the same training with the exception of kettlebell exercise in place of strength training circuits (this occurs on alternating days). KB exercise will initially be instructed by the principal investigator (certified kettlebell instructor through Crossfit®), but once independence with exercise is noted, the principal investigator's role will become supervisory and continued KB exercise will be executed under the leadership of unit PDO's. Upon conclusion of the eight week training program, all subjects will undergo a post-assessment consisting of the same measures noted previously. Follow on APFT scores will be collected either from West Point AMS for graded tests or from the TACs/PDOs for diagnostic tests.

Once data collection is complete, analysis will be performed using SPSS version 19. A 2x2 mixed-model analysis of variance will be performed with application of Sidak's multiple comparison test to determine if statistical significance has been reached.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • West Point, New York, United States, 10996
      • Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, Physical Therapy Clinic

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 17 years to 27 years (ADULT, CHILD)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion

• Male and Female Cadets
• Age 18-27
• Emancipated minor at age 17
• Remedial physical training participant

Exclusion

• Self-reported pregnancy
• Participants who are not fluent in English
• History of a musculoskeletal injury in the last month
• Any history of a spondylolisthesis
• History of an orthopedic surgery in the last six months
• Condition that results in surgery during the study,
• Missing >1 exercise session per week

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: OTHER
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: NONE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Kettlebell Training; Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT) with kettlebell training in place of strength training circuits	Other: Kettlebell training; Kettlebell training will be performed in 30 second work:rest intervals. Total training time will progress from 10 minutes at the beginning of the study to 20 minutes at the end.; Other: Army Physical Readiness Training; Army Physical Readiness Training per Army Field Manual 7-22
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: Army Physical Readiness Training; Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT) per Army Field Manual 7-22	Other: Army Physical Readiness Training; Army Physical Readiness Training per Army Field Manual 7-22

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Horizontal (Broad) Jump at 8 weeks	This test will be used to assess leg strength and power. Subjects will be advised to assume a standing position with toes directly behind a taped start line. On their own command, subjects will jump as far as they can along a tape measure secured to the floor. Subjects will be encouraged to bend at the knees and hips and swing their arms to assist the jump. Subjects must jump from both feet and land with both feet without falling backward. The distance jumped will be recorded to the nearest centimeter, from the start line to the point of closest heel contact. Subjects will be given three attempts at this test	Baseline and 8 week re-assess
Change in 40 Yard Sprint at 8 weeks	This test will be used to assess anaerobic power and speed. Subjects will be advised to assume a three-point position behind a start line. On their own command, subjects will run as fast as they can through the finish line. Time will stop when they cross the timing gate. Subjects will be given a single attempt at this test.	Baseline and 8 week re-assess

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Vertical Jump at 8 weeks	This test will be used to assess leg strength and power. Subjects will first be advised to assume a standing position with their feet together and legs straight, positioned directly beneath the measuring device. Without jumping, subjects will reach one arm upward, touching the highest vane they can. This will be recorded as standing reach. Subjects will then be advised to assume a standing position with feet shoulder width apart, again positioned directly beneath the measuring device. Subjects will then, on their own command, jump straight up as high as they can, striking the highest vane they can reach with one hand. Subjects will be encouraged to bend at the knees and hips and swing their arms to assist the jump. Subjects must jump from both feet and land with both feet below the measuring device. Subjects will be given three attempts at this test.	Baseline and 8 week re-assess
Change in 60 Yard Shuttle at 8 weeks	This test will be used to assess speed and agility. This test is designed as a basic out-and-back shuttle run and one hand must touch each mark as a subject changes directions. Subjects will be advised to assume a three-point position behind the start line. On their own command, subjects will run out to the 5 yard line then return back to the start. Without pause, this pattern will be repeated for the 10 and the 15 yard lines. Time will begin upon subjects initial movement out of the start and will end upon crossing the finish line. Subjects will be given a single attempt at this test.	Baseline and 8 week re-assess

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Army Physical Fitness Test at 12 weeks	This study will not administer any fitness tests; scores will be pulled from established databases of tests already scheduled as part of cadet requirements.	Baseline and up to 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Keller Army Community Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): October 1, 2016
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): October 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 19, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 3, 2016
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): April 7, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): March 13, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2017
• Last Verified: March 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: High-intensity interval training; Kettlebell training
• Other Study ID Numbers: 16-011

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO