Are Changes in Physical Work Capacity Induced by High-Intensity Functional Training Related to Changes in Associated Physiologic Measures?

Abstract

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) is a novel exercise intervention that may test body systems in a balanced and integrated fashion by challenging individuals’ abilities to complete mechanical work. However, research has not previously determined if physical work capacity is unique to traditional physiologic measures of fitness. Twenty-five healthy men and women completed a six-week HIFT intervention with physical work capacity and various physiologic measures of fitness assessed pre- and post-intervention. At baseline, these physiologic measures of fitness (e.g., aerobic capacity) were significantly associated with physical work capacity and this relationship was even stronger at post-intervention assessment. Further, there were significant improvements across these physiologic measures in response to the delivered intervention. However, the change in these physiologic measures failed to predict the change in physical work capacity induced via HIFT. These findings point to the potential utility of HIFT as a unique challenge to individuals’ physiology beyond traditional resistance or aerobic training. Elucidating the translational impact of increasing work capacity via HIFT may be of great interest to health and fitness practitioners ranging from strength/conditioning coaches to physical therapists.

Validity, Reliability, and Application of the Session-RPE Method for Quantifying Training Loads during High Intensity Functional Training

“…This study is a secondary analysis of a previous investigation performed over a nine-week period to assess the validity of the sRPE method for quantifying TL during HIFT [24]. Participants completed 5 d·wk −1 of HIFT (i.e., Monday–Friday) at a local facility conducive to HIFT practices.…”

“…The exact details for the “Daily Workout” (DW) for each training session can be seen in Table A1 within the previously published work [24]. Each session was approximately 1 h in duration and included a brief warm-up, the programmed DW, and some mobility work as a cool-down.…”

Acute Caffeine Supplementation Does Not Improve Performance in Trained CrossFit® Athletes

“…Within the athletic performance environment of CrossFit ® , repetitions can approach up to 700 in a 20-min training session [25,27]. Similar to other sports, CrossFit ® athletes likely possess high levels of health-and skill-related aspects of physical fitness, and research has significantly correlated CrossFit ® performance with aerobic capacity, muscular strength (upper-and lower-body), and power [24,27,28]. Unfortunately, limited evidence from the sports nutrition community exists regarding the utility of dietary supplementation for CrossFit ® performance [29].…”

Effects of high‐intensity functional circuit training on motor function and sport motivation in healthy, inactive adults

“…While plenty of research examining isolated high‐intensity training or functional exercise is available, there is a paucity regarding the joint application of both approaches in one program. Existing trials did not assess motor function, included (partly) trained participants or had no conventional control intervention . In addition and most importantly, no study, so far, has captured exercise motivation in the context of high‐intensity functional training using a complex and specific scale.…”

“…Existing trials did not assess motor function, 15,16 included (partly) trained participants [17][18][19] or had no conventional control intervention. [20][21][22][23] In addition and most importantly, no study, so far, has captured exercise motivation in the context of high-intensity functional training using a complex and specific scale.…”