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Fitness

Hormonal Response to Kettlebell Swings: A Scientific Analysis

A new study analyzed the kettlebell swing's effects on hormones and heart rate.

Doug Dupont

Written by Doug Dupont Last updated on Nov 22, 2021

The kettlebell swing is an exercise often used in high reps to get the heart rate going and to burn calories. And for anyone who has ever done a swing, you’ll know it’s also an intense posterior chain exercise as well. The effects of the swing were recently examined by researchers in a study published by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

In this study, ten male participants performed twelve rounds of thirty seconds of kettlebell swings with a 24kg kettlebell, followed by thirty seconds of rest. Blood work was examined before the exercise, immediately afterwards, fifteen minutes after, and finally thirty minutes after. Heart rate and perceived exertion were taken throughout.

Now bear in mind, this was not a comparative study. There was no examination of how these changes in hormone levels actually look against, say, a squat or other exercise that challenges similar muscles. As such, the purpose was not to determine if the swing was superior to other exercises, but rather if it was a valid addition to a weight training program on its own.

Testosterone Response

And indeed, it was a good addition. Immediately following the swings, testosterone levels were raised by fourteen percent. While this is a significant amount, it isn’t huge, but bear in mind that the exercise protocol wasn’t with particularly heavy weights, but rather was more cardiovascular in nature. As a result, the testosterone returned nearly to resting levels after fifteen minutes and then was actually lower than resting levels at thirty minutes.

Cortisol Response

Cortisol was also elevated, which is a typical response to exercise. Although many athletes seek to minimize this catabolic hormone, it is commonly at some of its highest levels post-exercise, since cortisol responds to any stressor. In fact, it was elevated by about 45% as a result of the swings. It took the full thirty minutes of testing before it had returned close to normal.

Growth Hormone Response

Growth hormone, which is heavily involved in fat metabolism, was elevated as well. This is also a normal response to exercise. It shot up eighteen times its resting level immediately following the protocol, which is not odd at all since resting levels of growth hormone are usually low. It then continued to rise to 21 times resting levels after fifteen minutes, then to sixteen times after thirty minutes.

Lactate Response

Lactate levels mirrored cortisol response. Considering lactate levels are one of the stressors that cortisol responds to, this correlation makes sense. It shot up a little over six times normal levels at the after exercise, followed by a steady decline almost returning to normal after thirty minutes.

Heart Rate and Perceived Exertion

Heart rate and perceived exertion steadily increased throughout each set, which indicates that the athletes may have become exhausted if more sets were included. The participants averaged a heart rate of 57 beats per minute (BPM) prior to the testing, which is pretty low, and ended up averaging 170 BPM by the end.

Kettlebell swings done with a light to moderate weight for time demonstrated a spike in hormones responsible for exercise adaptations. The researchers concluded that kettlebell swings would make a good addition to any program. I’ll add that at an intensely aerobic output spread out over twelve minutes, it’s a decent way to get some cardio in as well.

References:

1. Ronald Budnar, et. al., “The acute hormonal response to the kettlebell swing exercise,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000474

Photo courtesy of CrossFit Impulse.

Doug Dupont

About Doug Dupont

Having grown up at the foot of a forest covered mountain in rural Vermont, Doug was active from a very young age. Hiking, running, and climbing were a part of everyday life in the Green Mountains. This culture of exercise led to dabbling in martial arts as a teen, and also getting work in a local powerlifting focused gym. Doug continued to pursue knowledge and training in exercise, becoming a certified personal trainer while still a teenager. Once in college he began his hand at the business side of fitness, taking a management position at a large local gym. During that time he became a founding member of the UVM Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club, and was the first among their competition team. After only a few months he was assisting in coaching, and ran conditioning program for the club.

Out of college Doug set up his own training center. He grew his list of clientele including several professional MMA athletes, eventually going so far as to corner a world title fight. He has continued ­­­to develop his business into today.

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