Body Composition and Strength Symmetry of Kettlebell Sport Athletes

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Segmental and total body composition, along with hand grip strength, are associated with performance, success, and health in athletes. Body composition and strength symmetry may be modulated by physical activity. Specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is an accurate, easy-to-use, and economical tool for evaluating body composition, suitable for sports applications. In this study, we evaluated hand grip strength, body composition, and body symmetry in a sample of elite athletes of both sexes practicing kettlebell sport (KBs), which is an increasingly practiced sport based on the repetition of jerk or snatch exercises realised using both upper limbs. The results suggest that kettlebell sport is associated with high muscle mass, and body composition and strength symmetry, especially in the upper body. As previously detected in other elite athletes, body symmetry could be related to the bilateral use of the limbs. ABSTRACT: Kettlebell sport (KBs) is increasingly popular, but very few studies have been focused on this discipline. This research aims to investigate the effects of KBs on body composition, strength symmetry, and segmental body composition symmetry in a sample of Italian elite athletes. Data were collected from a sample of 16 athletes of both sexes (11 men and 5 women; 34.5 ± 9.0 years of age). Anthropometric (height, weight, arm, thigh, calf, and waist circumferences), hand grip strength, and total and segmental bioelectrical variables were taken. Body composition was analysed by using specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). Paired t-tests and confidence ellipses were applied to analyse bilateral differences. Elite athletes of both sexes showed high values of phase angle, indicative of high body cell mass and quality and proxy of muscle mass. Hand grip strength and body composition were symmetrical, with the only exception of a higher %FM in the right leg (Zsp: t = 3.556; p = 0.003). In conclusion, this study suggests that KBs contributes to muscle mass improvement, body composition, and strength symmetry, especially in the upper body.