Classroom-Integrated Kettlebell Training: Effects on Motor Performance, Attention, and Health in Primary School Children

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Title: Classroom-Integrated Kettlebell Training: Effects on Motor Performance, Attention, and Health in Primary School Children
Language: English
Authors: Nicole Braun (ORCID 0009-0004-7039-9341), Romina Ledergerber (ORCID 0000-0003-1505-1188), Eric Lichtenstein, Lukas Nebiker, Ralf Roth (ORCID 0000-0002-3029-6004)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(4).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Grade 2
Primary Education
Descriptors: Physical Education, Physical Fitness, Grade 2, Elementary School Students, Psychomotor Skills, Attention, Health, Training, Program Effectiveness, Equipment, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Switzerland
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70136
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Declining physical fitness and rising obesity in children call for effective interventions. Integrating kettlebell training into the classroom may provide a practical way to overcome existing barriers. This study examined its feasibility and effectiveness on second graders' motor performance, attention, and health. Methods: Three classes (pre n = 61; post n = 47) performed daily 15-min kettlebell training for 7 weeks, while two classes (pre n = 33; post n = 31) served as controls. Pre/post assessments included mid-thigh pull, grip strength, countermovement jump, sprint, shuttle run, eye-hand coordination, side hop test, Flanker task, body composition, and blood pressure. Linear mixed models analyzed group differences, reporting Cohen's d and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Small effects were observed in sprint (p = 0.01, d = 0.46, 95% CI [0.20-0.73], Δ = +3.6% [1.5-5.6]) and mid-thigh pull (p = 0.14, d = 0.28 [-0.08 to 0.64], Δ = +5.5% [-1.7 to 12.6]). Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Fun, safe, and regular sessions with simple routines and age-appropriate exercises are required. Conclusion: This classroom-integrated program is feasible and effective, particularly for enhancing lower-body strength and promoting movement during the school day. Trial Registration: NCT06910085.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501278
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Classroom-Integrated Kettlebell Training: Effects on Motor Performance, Attention, and Health in Primary School Children
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nicole+Braun%22">Nicole Braun</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7039-9341">0009-0004-7039-9341</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Romina+Ledergerber%22">Romina Ledergerber</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1505-1188">0000-0003-1505-1188</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eric+Lichtenstein%22">Eric Lichtenstein</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lukas+Nebiker%22">Lukas Nebiker</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ralf+Roth%22">Ralf Roth</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3029-6004">0000-0002-3029-6004</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(4).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 10
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+2%22">Grade 2</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Primary+Education%22">Primary Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Education%22">Physical Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Fitness%22">Physical Fitness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+2%22">Grade 2</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychomotor+Skills%22">Psychomotor Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attention%22">Attention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health%22">Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Training%22">Training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Equipment%22">Equipment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Switzerland%22">Switzerland</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/josh.70136
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Declining physical fitness and rising obesity in children call for effective interventions. Integrating kettlebell training into the classroom may provide a practical way to overcome existing barriers. This study examined its feasibility and effectiveness on second graders' motor performance, attention, and health. Methods: Three classes (pre n = 61; post n = 47) performed daily 15-min kettlebell training for 7 weeks, while two classes (pre n = 33; post n = 31) served as controls. Pre/post assessments included mid-thigh pull, grip strength, countermovement jump, sprint, shuttle run, eye-hand coordination, side hop test, Flanker task, body composition, and blood pressure. Linear mixed models analyzed group differences, reporting Cohen's d and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Small effects were observed in sprint (p = 0.01, d = 0.46, 95% CI [0.20-0.73], Δ = +3.6% [1.5-5.6]) and mid-thigh pull (p = 0.14, d = 0.28 [-0.08 to 0.64], Δ = +5.5% [-1.7 to 12.6]). Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Fun, safe, and regular sessions with simple routines and age-appropriate exercises are required. Conclusion: This classroom-integrated program is feasible and effective, particularly for enhancing lower-body strength and promoting movement during the school day. Trial Registration: NCT06910085.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1501278
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      – SubjectFull: Physical Education
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      – SubjectFull: Physical Fitness
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      – SubjectFull: Grade 2
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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