Effects of kettlebell swing training on cardiorespiratory and metabolic demand to a simulated competition in young female artistic gymnasts

We examined the effects of adding a Kettlebell Swing training program (KB) to the regular skill-training protocol (REGULAR) on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiorespiratory/metabolic demand, and recovery to a simulated competition of female artistic gymnastics. Nine gymnasts (13±2 years) had their REGULAR complemented with a 4-week kettlebell training (REGULAR+KB), consisting of 3 sessions/week of 12x30” swings x 30” rest with ¼ of their body weight, while 9 aged-matched gymnasts acted as a comparison group. Peak oxygen uptake ([Image: see text] ) during routines was estimated from the O(2) recovery curve using backward extrapolation and off-kinetics parameters were modeled through a mono-exponential function. Heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously and capillary blood lactate (BL(a)(-)) was measured before and after each routine (1(st) and 3(rd) min). Cardiorespiratory fitness ([Image: see text] ) was evaluated using a ramp cycle ergometer test. A training-by-time interaction effect was observed for [Image: see text] (p = 0.009) as increments were only observed after REGULAR+KB (M = 8.85, SD = 9.67 ml.kg.min(-1)). No training-by-time interactions were observed for HR(peak) (p = 0.39), [Image: see text] (p = 0.07), or La(-)(post3 ()p = 0.25)(,) both training protocols reduced HR(peak) (M = -12; SD = 11 b.min(-1)) and BLa(-)(post1) (M = -0.70; SD = 1.29 mmol.L(-1)) during the simulated competition, but not relative [Image: see text] . No training-by-time interaction was observed for the off-transient [Image: see text] time constant (p = 0.38). [Image: see text] recovery was slower (M = 5; SD = 10 s) after both protocols. Both training protocols improved cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands and recovery kinetics to a simulated competition of female artistic gymnastics, although increases in cardiorespiratory fitness were only observed in REGULAR+KB.