Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ahead of Print DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002279
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Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise
Alexei Wong1 –– Michael Nordvall1––Michelle Walters-Edwards1 –– Kevin Lastova1––
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Gwendolyn Francavillo1 –– Liane Summerfield1–– Marcos Sanchez- Gonzalez2
Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe
Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207, USA 2
Division of Clinical & Translational Research Larkin Community Hospital, 7000 SW 62nd Ave,
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South Miami, FL 33143
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Corresponding Author: Alexei Wong, PhD, Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207. Telephone: 703-522-5600; E-mail:
[email protected] Running title: Autonomic and Blood Pressure responses to Kettlebell exercise
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Abstract: Kettlebell (KB) training has become an extremely popular exercise program for improving both muscle strength and aerobic fitness. However, the cardiac autonomic modulation and blood pressure (BP) responses induced by an acute KB exercise session are currently unknown. Understanding the impact of this exercise modality on the post-exercise autonomic modulation and BP would facilitate appropriate exercise prescription in susceptible populations. The present study evaluated the effects of an acute session of KB exercise on heart rate variability (HRV) and BP responses in healthy individuals. Seventeen (M=10, F=7) healthy subjects completed either a KB or non-exercise control trial in randomized order. HRV and BP measurements were collected at baseline, 3, 10 and 30 min after each trial. There were significant increases (P < 0.01) in heart rate, markers of sympathetic activity (nLF) and sympathovagal balance (nLF/nHF) for 30 min after the trial KB trial, while no changes from baseline were observed after the control trial. There were also significant decreases (P < 0.01) in markers of vagal tone (RMMSD, nHF) for 30 min as well as (P < 0.01) systolic BP and diastolic BP at 10 and 30 min after the trial KB trial while no changes from baseline were observed after the control trial. Our findings indicate that KB exercise increases sympathovagal balance for 30 min post-intervention which is concurrent with an important hypotensive effect. Further research is warranted to evaluate the potential clinical application of KB training in populations that might benefit from post-exercise hypotension, such as hypertensives.
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Keywords: heart rate variability; high intensity interval training; post-exercise hypotension
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INTRODUCTION
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Hypertension (HTN), characterized by increased blood pressure (BP), is a major risk factor for
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cardiovascular disease (CVD) and end-organ damage (8). Autonomic dysfunction is recognized
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as a primary pathophysiological mechanisms of HTN since it is related to both the development
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and the complications of this condition (28). Heart rate variability (HRV) is acknowledged as a
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parasympathetic (sympathovagal) balance (39). HRV is used in many research applications,
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including the study of autonomic control during physical activity (16) and after (recovery phase)
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acute exercise (16). The HRV and BP responses post-exercise appear to be related to the
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intensity of the performed exercise, particularly in the first minutes of recovery (16,32).
measure of cardiac autonomic regulation, especially as a surrogate of the sympathetic–
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Moreover, a prolonged sympathetic predominance and concominant slow parasympathetic
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reactivation contribute to a delayed BP recovery following exercise, which is thought to be
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associated with increased risk of acute cardiac events (27,30). Therefore, understanding the
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impact of various exercise modalities on autonomic regulation and BP would provide further
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insight into the post-exercise relationship between these variables and may help in the
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development of strategies to decrease exercise-related cardiovascular risk.
The kettlebell (KB), a cannonball shaped iron hand weight with a handle, dates back to
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the early 18th century in Russia where it gained popularity as an exercise implement (42). In the
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last few years, resurgence in KB use has been due primarily to programs like CrossFit and Pavel
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Tsatsouline’s workshops, where it is utilized as a training modality for improving both muscle
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strength and aerobic fitness, thereby providing an alternative to established methods of exercise
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(13). Owing to the design of the KB, its high-speed, ballistic and eccentric nature make it an
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excellent form of exercise for loading of the hip extensor and posterior chain muscles (13,42).
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The two hand-KB swing, a primary movement in KB training, is performed rhythmically
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incorporating an explosive hip extension during the concentric phase, followed by dynamic hip
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flexion during the eccentric phase of the swing (13,42). KB swings are usually used as a form of
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high-intensity interval training, utilizing alternating bouts of exercise followed by short rest
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periods (13). Despite the popularity of this form of exercise, research regarding the acute
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hormone), which remain elevated for at least 15 min post-exercise (5). Additionally, Farrar et al.
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(14) observed that KB swings caused a greater increase in oxygen consumption (VO2max) and HR
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compared to traditional power or resistance exercise. While an increased VO2max and HR
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cardiovascular responses to a KB swing routine is limited. It has been previously demonstrated that an acute session of KB swings causes elevations in heart rate (HR) and cortisol (a stress
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resulting from KB training are less than those induced by aerobic exercise (22), KB swings
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present a metabolic challenge that may elicit unique cardiac autonomic and BP responses.
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Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a KB exercise session on
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post-exercise cardiac autonomic function and BP responses.
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METHODS
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Experimental Approach to the Problem
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Anthropometrics, health history and a familiarization session with the study tests, procedures and
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the correct technique for the 2 hand-KB swing exercise were learned during an initial
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familiarization visit. Using a crossover design, subjects were tested in the postprandial (≥4
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hours) condition on two separate additional visits separated by at least 48 hours. Measurements
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were performed during afternoon hours in a quiet, temperature-controlled room (23 ± 1 °C) and
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at the same time of the day (± 2 h) to minimize potential diurnal variations in cardiac and
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vascular reactivity. Subjects abstained from caffeine and alcohol consumption for at least 12
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hours and avoided intense exercise 48 hours prior to testing. After HRV and BP instrumentation,
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subjects rested in the supine position for at least 10 min before a 5 min baseline period.
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Thereafter, subjects completed either the KB or the no-exercise control (CON) trial in a
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randomized order. Immediately after the trials, subjects resumed the supine position for 30 min
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of recovery. Post-trial measurements of BP and HRV were collected between 3–6 min (Post-3), 10-13 min (Post- 10) and 30–33 min (Post-30).
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Subjects
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A total of 17 (M=10, F=7) healthy (age=23 ± 1 years, height=1.71 ± 0.02m and weight=74.1 ±
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4.9 kg) subjects between the ages of 18 and 27 years were recruited. Subjects were nonsmokers,
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normotensive, free of cardiovascular and metabolic/endocrine diseases as evaluated by health
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history, without musculoskeletal concerns that would limit exercise participation and were not
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taking medication or nutritional supplements at the time of the study. All subjects reported being
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active through individualized cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercise programs
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performed 2–4 times per week for at least 1 year prior to the study. However, subjects had
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minimal experience with KB exercise. Female subjects were tested in the early follicular phase
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of the menstrual cycle to avoid possible influence of endogenous estrogens on autonomic
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function. All subjects were aware of the experimental procedures as approved by the institutional
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review board and gave written consent before data collection.
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Procedures
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Trials
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During the KB trial, subjects completed 12 consecutive rounds of the 2 hand- kettlebell swing
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exercise. The Russian style of the exercise was used, which is performed rhythmically
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exercise (Figure 1). Each round consisted of 30 seconds of exercise followed by 30 seconds of
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incorporating an explosive hip extension and swing ascension to eye-level during the concentric phase, followed by dynamic hip flexion and swing descension during the eccentric phase of the
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rest. Males used a 16-kg KB, and females used an 8-kg KB (21). The KB swings were performed
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at a rate of 1-s eccentric/1-s concentric phases (15 swings per round) and were controlled with
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the use of a metronome. Continuous feedback was given by an investigator in order to maintain
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the correct form and the rhythmic timing of the swing. The 16 and 8-kg KB were used in this
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study since it is the recommended weight for beginning males and females, respectively (21,42)
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and appear to be standardized in previous KB research (5,21,22,26). The rationale for the
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number and duration of rounds as well as the rest periods were based on literature focusing on
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the acute responses and longitudinal adaptations to KB exercise. Such research reported acute
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increases in HR (80-90% of predicted HRmax) (5,22), oxygen consumption (22) and hormones
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involved in muscular adaptations (5) along with chronic improvements in maximal strength and
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power (26) utilizing similar protocols. During CON trial, subjects remained in the supine
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position for the same 12 min time duration as the KB trial.
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Heart rate variability
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Baseline and post-trial R-R interval measurements were performed in the supine position. R-R
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intervals were collected for 5 min at baseline and 3 min for Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30 using a
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validated wireless monitor (Polar 800CX; Polar Electro OY, Kempele,Finland) via a chest strap
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interfaced to a computer. HRV variables calculated from R-R interval series of 3 minutes have
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been found to match well with those calculated from the typical 5-minutes R-R interval (2),
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making 3 minute HRV analysis a surrogate method to assess HRV (2). All R–R intervals were
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we calculated the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), which reflects
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parasympathetic modulation(39). The autoregressive model was used to estimate the power
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spectrum in the total power (TP, 0.00 - 0.40 Hz) and its main components: low-frequency (LF,
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inspected for artifacts and premature beats. HRV was quantified from 5-min (baseline) and 3min (Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30) segments free of artifacts. As a time domain index of HRV,
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0.04 - 0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF, 0.15 - 0.40 Hz). TP of HRV is an estimation of the
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global activity of the autonomic nervous system. The HF power is a marker of cardiac
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parasympathetic activity (31,39) .The LF component of HRV in absolute units is mediated by
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both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities(39). The HF and LF were normalized (nHF and
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nLF) and expressed as a percentage of the TP, considered as HF+LF (39). The nHF and nLF are
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defined as HF or LF / (LF + HF), expressing the spectral power as the relative (%) contribution
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of the sympathetic (nLF) and parasympathetic (nHF) activities on the sinoatrial node.
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Normalizing is appealing since it expresses the quantities on a more easily understood
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percentage (0%–100%) scale. Additionally, normalizing considerably diminishes within and
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across-subject variability in the total raw HRV spectral power (6). The ratio of nLF to nHF
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(nLF/nHF) has been suggested as a mean to quantify the relationship between sympathetic and
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parasympathetic nerve activities (sympathovagal balance) (31). Increased sympathovagal
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balance is considered a reflection of sympathetic predominance (31).We followed the standards
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for the measurement and interpretation of the HRV (39).
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Blood Pressure
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Baseline and post-trial brachial BP was measured using an automatic oscillometric device
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(HEM-705CP; Omron Healthcare, Vernon Hill, IL, USA). Two measurements at 1-min intervals
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laboratory, the intraclass correlation coefficient for resting BP collected on two separate days is
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0.95.
were collected and averaged at each time point (baseline, Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30). In our
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Anthropometrics
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Height was measured using a stadiometer and recorded to the nearest 0.5cm, and body mass was
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measured using a seca scale (Sunbeam Products Inc., Boca Raton, FL, USA), recorded to the
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nearest 0.1 kg.
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Statistical analysis
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Data were examined for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences in mean values for
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each variable between conditions were compared by a 2x4 ANOVA with repeated measures
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(trial [CON vs KB] by time [baseline, Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30]), followed by Bonferroni
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alpha correction. Univariate associations were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation coefficients.
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Data are shown as means ± SE. Statistical significance was defined a priori as P < 0.05.
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Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM SPSS Analytics, Armonk,
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NY). A power calculation done a priori determined that a population of 12 subjects would allow
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the observation of a difference of 3%–5% between the groups (CON vs KB) with a power of
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80% on the primary study outcome variables of LF/HF, SBP and DBP.
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RESULTS
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BP, HR and autonomic function parameters at baseline and after 30 min of KB and control trials
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nLF/nHF and RMSSD. There were significant increases (P