Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41487958›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology2025

Asymmetry of muscle co-activation during the two-armed kettlebell swing: insights into neuromuscular stability.

Khaled Abuwarda, Abdulazeem Alotaibi, Abdel-Rahman Akl

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Khaled AbuwardaDepartment of Physical Education and Kinesiology, College of Education, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulazeem AlotaibiDepartment of Physical Education and Kinesiology, College of Education, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Abdel-Rahman AklFaculty of Sports Science-Abo Qir, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Bilateral asymmetry reflects strength or functional differences between dominant and non-dominant limbs, which can influence performance. Investigating asymmetry and muscle co-activation during the two-armed kettlebell swing may clarify its role in performance enhancement and injury risk. This study specifically examined co-activation and asymmetry in shoulder and trunk muscles during the exercise. Method: Twenty-four participants (age: 23.9 ± 2.5 years; body mass: 82.8 ± 8.0 kg; height: 177.8 ± 6.5 cm) were included in the study. Surface electromyography signals were recorded using a wireless EMG system and data were collected bilaterally from twelve muscles (six muscles per side: anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, erector spinae longissimus, erector spinae iliocostalis, external oblique, and rectus abdominis). Each participant completed two trials of the two-armed kettlebell swing, with at least five repetitions. Results: The results showed that the shoulder co-activation index significantly increased on both sides during the float, drop, and deceleration phases (Right side: F = 35.12; p < 0.001; Left side: F = 69.80; p < 0.001). Additionally, co-activation between the erector spinae and rectus abdominis, as well as between the erector spinae and external oblique muscles, was highest during the float and drop phases (Right side: F = 165.1; p < 0.001; Left side: F = 100.08; p < 0.001). The findings revealed some asymmetry in muscle co-activation, particularly during the float phase (22.39%). However, overall asymmetrical levels remained low during the more mechanically demanding phases (propulsion, drop, and deceleration). Conclusion: The study shows clear phase-dependent muscle activation patterns, with anterior deltoid and spinal extensors leading during propulsion, and greater posterior engagement and co-activation stabilizing the float, drop, and deceleration phases. A small asymmetry appeared mainly in the float phase, while the overall asymmetry index stayed low during the more demanding phases.

Indexed as

bilateral symmetryinjury risk assessmentmotion analysisphysical activitystrength trainingwearable sensors

Identifiers

PMID41487958
PMCPMC12756136

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.