Date of Award

Summer 2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Kinesiology

Advisor

Peggy A. Plato

Keywords

aerobic capacity, kettlebell, kettle bell, kettlebells, VO2max

Subject Areas

Kinesiology; Physiology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a kettlebell training program on aerobic capacity. Seventeen female NCAA Division I collegiate soccer players (age 19.7 + 1.0 years, height 166.1 + 6.4 cm, weight 64.2 + 8.2 kg) completed a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Participants were placed into a kettlebell intervention (KB) group (n = 9) or a circuit weight training control (CWT) group (n = 8). Participants in the KB group completed a kettlebell snatch test to determine individual snatch repetitions. Both groups trained 3 days per week for 4 weeks in addition to their off-season strength and conditioning program. The KB group performed the 15:15 MVO2 protocol (20 min of kettlebell snatching with a 15 s work-to- rest ratio). The CWT group performed multiple free weight and dynamic body weight exercises as part of a continuous circuit program for 20 min. The 15:15 MVO2 protocol significantly increased VO2max in the KB group. The average increase was 2.3 ml*kg*-1min-1, or approximately a 6% gain. There was no significant change in VO2max in the CWT control group. Thus, the 4-week 15:15 MVO2 kettlebell protocol, using high intensity kettlebell snatches, significantly improved aerobic capacity in female intercollegiate soccer players.


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