Kettlebell Abs during swings

[fatuus]

Is it right to keep the abs tight throughout the swing? I know to tense at the plank, but I think that keeping tight throughout can protect the lower back. Does this hinder the swing?

 

[Kenny Croxdale]

Is it right to keep the abs tight throughout the swing? I know to tense at the plank, but I think that keeping tight throughout can protect the lower back. Does this hinder the swing?

"Keeping The Abs Tight​

1) You are not going to maintain maximum abdominal tension throughout a swing.

2) Trying to maintain maximum abdominal tension throughout a swing or a plank isn't optimal for maximizing force production for Strength or Power.

The Principles of Contract-Relax-Contract

Barbell - Pulse Training Part1

THE SCIENCE OF CORE TRAINING: CORE STIFFNESS & PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW (PART 1 OF CORE TRAINING SERIES) https://gcperformancetraining.com/gc-blog/corestiffnessperformance1 ...the function of the core is to transmit force, prevent force/power leaks and maintain the position of certain joints and...

www.strongfirst.com

Research by Dr Stu McGill has demonstrated the this method allows greater force to be produced.

The following article specifically addresses your question on swings...

Tip: 3 Little-Known Ways to Improve Athleticism

The kettlebell swing can be used for developing the skill of pulsing contraction followed by rapid relaxation. Here's how:

• A burst of energy or "pulse" is used to begin the swing.
• Once the swing is around chest height, rapid relaxation must occur to re-hinge the hips and guide the kettlebell back between the legs.
• Another pulsed contraction is used to start the beginning of the next swing.
• Then the kettlebell swings go in a continuous cycle of turning on and turning off certain musculature in the right sequence to create pulsing contractions. That develops the ability to produce power.

Plank Pulsing

Barbell - Pulsing Planks

Ab Planks it can be an effective method of training and strengthening the abdominal muscles, when preformed correctly. Or in many cases, when performed incorrectly an exercise that is ineffective; a waste of time. Isometric Action The Plank is an Isometric Action; A "muscular action in...

www.strongfirst.com

This addresses Plank Pulsing.

 

[Anna C]

At first it feels safest to stay somewhat contracted throughout, and that's fine, but it makes your movement a little awkward. As you get more confident and practiced with the swing, you are able to relax more when unloaded, mostly in the middle part of the downswing, as @Kenny Croxdale described. But you always want contract hard when you are loaded, from the start of the upswing and into the standing plank. The greatest athletes know how to contract hard and relax fast. That's what makes their movements so skilled, fluid, and strong.