KETTLEBELL training has long been considered the domain of Crossfit fans and Russian strongmen.
But now it’s being investigated as a way for older people to lower the risk of falls and slow the decline in muscle mass and strength associated with ageing.
Bond University PhD candidate and physiotherapist Neil Meigh hopes his research will transform the way seniors maintain their strength and function as they age.
Mr Meigh said physical decline was almost inevitable as people aged, meaning it was more important than ever to take steps to retain strength and function.
“As we age, our body doesn’t maintain the same physical capacity in pretty much every sense," he said.
“Changes in bone and muscle are important in terms of our physical function, and often they go hand in hand.
"If somebody isn’t maintaining a fit, healthy, active lifestyle, you can expect that both bone and muscle will have changed.”
Mr Meigh is conducting a series of trials to measure the effects of kettlebell training on muscle mass, balance and physical capacity.
“We’ll be starting in a lab with a mixture of people, both experts, beginners, and different age groups.”
He hopes to use his studies to influence clinical practice guidelines to incorporate kettlebell training as a tool to help older adults retain their independence, improve their quality of life and keep out of hospital.
“Part of it is the psychological component; it’s not just about getting people physically stronger,” he said.
“Older adults are generally more fearful of doing physical things, particularly if it involves weight, because it can put them off balance, so if an older person can pick a 40-50kg weight off the floor, it gives them that confidence and translates into activities of daily living.”
Five kettlebell facts
- A kettlebell is a weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle.
- They can weigh between four and 24kg.
- In Russia kettlebells were used as counterweights against produce.
- Remnants of kettlebells go as far back as 1800-1700 BC.
- You can find traces of kettlebells in ancient civilisations from China, Japan, Scotland, Turkey and Iran.
To be involved in the clinical trials, email Mr Meigh at nmeigh@bond.edu.au
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Geraldine Cardozo
Features Editor at The Senior.
Features Editor at The Senior.
