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January 16, 2006
Why Soviet scientists gave the kettlebell a thumbs-up! Part I
In the twentieth century Soviet science confirmed what Russian hard men had known for centuries: kettlebell lifting is one of the best tools for all around physical development.
Voropayev (1983) observed two groups of college students over a period of a few years. A standard battery of the armed forces PT tests was used: pullups, a standing broad jump, a 100m sprint, and a 1k run. The control group followed the typical university physical training program which was military oriented and emphasized the above exercises. The experimental group just lifted kettlebells. In spite of the lack of practice on the tested drills, the kettlebell group showed better scores in every one of them!
Vinogradov & Lukyanov (1986) found a very high correlation between the results posted in a kettlebell lifting competition and a great range of dissimilar tests: strength, measured with the three powerlifts and grip strength; strength endurance, measured with pullups and parallel bar dips; general endurance, determined by a 1000 meter run; work capacity and balance, measured with special tests.
Kettlebells improve coordination and agility (Luchkin, 1947, Laputin, 1973). Kettlebells develop professional applied qualities and general physical preparedness (Zikov, 1986, Griban, 1990). Lopatin (2000) has found a positive correlation between a soldier’s kettlebell sport ranking and his obstacle course performance.
Soldier, Be Strong!, the official Soviet armed forces manual on strength training approved by the Ministry of Defense (Burkov & Nikityuk, 1985), flat out declared kettlebell training to be “one of the most effective means of strength development”, representing “a new era in the development of human strength-potential”. Enough said.
Russian kettlebell power to you!
Posted by james at January 16, 2006 6:30 AM