Influence of experimental training with external resistance in a form of “kettlebell” on selected components of women’s physical fitness

Abstract

An aim of this work was to determine the influence of women’s experimental training using kettlebells on selected components of physical fitness. Two groups of women, experimental (N = 20) and control (N = 20), took part in this study. In order to determine the influence of the training program developed by the present authors, participants were subjected to examinations aimed to assess the level of selected components of physical fitness (speed of hand movements, flexibility, explosive strength of lower limbs muscles, strength endurance of abdominal muscles and hip flexors, strength endurance of upper limbs muscles and the shoulder girdle, agility, the maximum oxygen uptake, the maximum and average power). Women who participated in kettlebells training showed statistically significant changes in all the examined components of physical fitness. In this group the greatest increase (84.25%) occurred in the endurance strength of upper limbs and the shoulder girdle. However, standard fitness training was more beneficial for shaping flexibility. A key element to the benefit of circuit training with kettlebells use (and additional exercises carried out in this training) is a possibility to improve comprehensive physical fitness.