Lumbosacral Muscle Sensitivity & Pressure Pain Threshold After Kettlebell Swings

Muscle Weakness Clinical Trial

Official title:

Tensiomyography and Pressure Algometry: Assessing the Effects of an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Swings on Muscle Sensitivity and Pressure Pain Threshold.

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05607212
• Other study ID #: STUDY00004622
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: November 14, 2022
• Est. completion date: March 14, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: June 2024
• Source: University of Central Florida
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The primary purpose of the study is to assess the muscle contractility and sensitivity of lumbar erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gluteus maximus short-term response to Tabata kettlebell swing protocol.

Description:

While there are many studies that combine resistance exercise with TMG, there are no studies that combine TMG or pressure algometry with an isometric hold of a kettlebell. This will be the first study that will observe the relationship between these specific variable

It has also been noted that kettlebell swings have an acute effect on muscle sensitivity. A study conducted by Hanney et al. (2017) demonstrated that there was an increase in the mean lumbosacral muscle pain pressure threshold across three locations measured.

Research by Hanney et al. is also the only article that has combined kettlebell swings and pressure algometry. As mentioned earlier, these researchers measured the effects of kettlebell swings on pressure pain threshold in the quadratus lumborum, paravertebral muscles, and the piriformis after an acute bout of 2 handed kettle-bell swings. Compared to a control group, the kettlebell swing group had significantly higher pressure pain thresholds for all three of the testing sites.

Researchers believe this may be due to an increased hyperemia-state post exercise, where the increased blood flow and vasodilation flushes out muscle metabolites. Clearing of these metabolites which normally activate chemo-nociceptive free nerve endings, are theorized to decrease pain sensitivity. This post-exercise hyperemia, leading to decreased pressure pain thresholds, may be directly related to the changes in contractility of the muscle after resistive exercise.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 90
• Est. completion date: March 14, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: March 14, 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 35 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant is a male or female between the ages of 18 and 35 years old

• Participant is asymptomatic for low back pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant is unable to participate in physical activity, as determined by the PAR-Q+

• Have any injuries or other chronic pain that would prevent them from performing a high intensity kettlebell swing protocol

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Hypersensitivity
• Muscle Soreness
• Muscle Tenderness
• Muscle Weakness
• Myalgia

Intervention

Other:
• Kettlebell Swing
Participants will perform two-handed kettlebell swings using the interval training protocol outlined in the study carried out by Jay et. al. (2011). The protocol calls for 30 seconds of work, followed by 30-60 seconds of rest for a total of 10 intervals. The mechanics of the kettlebell swing will follow those outlined in the study carried out by McGill et. al. (2012). All male participants will perform the intervention with a 16kg kettlebell and all female participants will perform the intervention with a 12kg kettlebell to assure reliability. The weight is higher than previous and similar study by Brandon et al to ensure measurable differences between experimental and comparison groups.
• Isometric Hold
Participants will perform an isometric hold of a kettlebell for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds of rest for a total of 10 intervals. Participants will mimic initial kettlebell swing position by standing shoulder width apart with their back straight, and hips and knees flexed. Participants will be cued to squeeze their glutes and look straight ahead while they hold the weight for the 30 second interval. All male participants will perform the intervention with a 16kg kettlebell and all female participants will perform the intervention with a 12kg kettlebell to assure reliability.
• Control
Control group: participants will be educated on the benefit of a kettlebell swing.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Central Florida	Orlando	Florida

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Central Florida

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (5)

de Paula Simola RA, Harms N, Raeder C, Kellmann M, Meyer T, Pfeiffer M, Ferrauti A. Assessment of neuromuscular function after different strength training protocols using tensiomyography. J Strength Cond Res. 2015 May;29(5):1339-48. doi: 10.1519/JSC.00000 — View Citation

Lohr C, Braumann KM, Reer R, Schroeder J, Schmidt T. Reliability of tensiomyography and myotonometry in detecting mechanical and contractile characteristics of the lumbar erector spinae in healthy volunteers. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2018 Jul;118(7):1349-1359. — View Citation

Martin-Rodriguez S, Loturco I, Hunter AM, Rodriguez-Ruiz D, Munguia-Izquierdo D. Reliability and Measurement Error of Tensiomyography to Assess Mechanical Muscle Function: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Dec;31(12):3524-3536. doi: 10.1519/J — View Citation

Munoz-Lopez A, De Hoyo M, Nunez FJ, Sanudo B. Using Tensiomyography to Assess Changes in Knee Muscle Contraction Properties After Concentric and Eccentric Fatiguing Muscle Actions. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Apr 1;36(4):935-940. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000 — View Citation

Tous-Fajardo J, Moras G, Rodriguez-Jimenez S, Usach R, Doutres DM, Maffiuletti NA. Inter-rater reliability of muscle contractile property measurements using non-invasive tensiomyography. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2010 Aug;20(4):761-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jeleki — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Tensiomyography	Electrical stimulator (TMG-S1) for lumbar erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gluteus	immediately after the intervention
Primary	Pressure Algometry	Document pressure change from comfortable pressure to a little unpleasant pain. The measurement will then be collected at the quadratus lumborum, paravertebral muscles, and piriformis.	immediately after the intervention