Changes in the body mass index of cadets at the higher military educational institution as a result of kettlebell lifting

Abstract

This article investigated the influence of kettlebell lifting exercises on indicators of physical development of cadets at the higher military educational institution (HMEI) during the study period. Cadets in their 1st–5th year of study (n=474) who were engaged in the current system of physical education at a HMEI (group A, n = 416) and cadets who trained in the kettlebell lifting group during the study period (group B, n = 58) took part in the study. Physical development was investigated on the basis of height, body weight, body mass index and the ratio of the number of cadets in each group that were overweight. The body weights of cadets in their senior academic years who trained via kettlebell lifting were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of cadets who were engaged in the current system of physical education by 4.2–6.7%. Additionally, an analysis of the body mass index showed that the percentage of cadets who were overweight in group A during their 3rd–5th year was 35.2–38.5%, whereas there was a decrease in the number of cadets with excess weight from 25% during the 1st year to 8.3% during the 4th year in group B. During the 5th year for group B, none of the cadets were found to be overweight, which confirms the positive effect of kettlebell lifting exercises.