• Zimerer C
• Alves SP
• Khéde RC
• Rufo-Tavares W
• Carletti L
• Vancini RL
• Perez AJ
• Leite RD

• Affiliation / Federal University of Espirito Santo. Department of Sports. Exercise Physiology Laboratory
• Affiliation / Federal University of Espirito Santo. Postgraduate Program in Physical Education. Department of Sports
• Affiliation(G) / Brazil / Espirito Santo / Vitoria
• Exercise Test
• Female
• High-Intensity Interval Training
• Muscle Strength
• Open Access Document
• Oxygen Consumption
• Physical Fitness
• Resistance Training

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the dynamic distribution of training loads in a kettlebell program and evaluate its effects on muscle strength and aerobic capacity.

Methods: Fourteen recreationally active women with no kettlebell training experience (age: 25.86 ± 5.35 years; V̇O₂max = 35.14 ± 5.58 mL/kg/min; body mass = 62.13 ± 13.40 kg; height = 164.75 ± 5.77 cm; body mass index = 22.68 ± 3.99 kg/m²) completed a 10-week kettlebell training program. The kettlebell training program was divided into three phases: Phase I (2 weeks), phase II (4 weeks), and Phase III (4 weeks). Maximum muscle strength (1RM) and aerobic fitness (V̇O₂max) measurements were performed before (Pre) and after (Post) training. The external and internal loads were represented by the session's total volume and perceived exertion method.

Results: An increase in maximum strength (P < .001; ∆% = 23.73; effect size = 0.87) and V̇O₂max (P = .004; ∆% = 9.63; effect size = 0.57) was observed when comparing Pre and Post measurements. There was an increase in total volume when phases I and II (P < .001), phases I and III (P < .001), and phases II and III (P < .001) of the training were compared. The internal load values increased significantly between phases I and II (P < .001). However, there was no difference when comparing phases II and III (P = .796).

Conclusion: The total volume increases during the training phases, and the training load was similar in phases II and III. Furthermore, were observed higher V̇O₂max and strength (1 RM load) values.

Author Keywords: High-intensity interval training; Physical fitness; Oxygen consumption; Resistance training

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