CrossFit athletes exhibit high symmetry of fundamental movement patterns. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: even if CrossFit training programs accounted actually more than 7500 gyms affiliated in the USA and more than 2000 in Europe and involved today more than 1 million of people, actually there were not several studies about the effect of the CrossFit on the health and sport performance. The aim of these research was to evaluate the performance in 7 fundamental movement patterns using a standardized methods, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Methods: we enrolled three groups of athletes (age 17-40 years; >6 months of training programs): CrossFitters, body builders and professional weightlifters. FMS test was performed to all people enrolled. Scores of FMS test was examined comparing three groups. Results: no differences in the three groups were showed in the mean score values of each test and in total score, except for shoulder mobility test (higher among CrossFitters) and trunk stability push-up test (higher among weightlifter). Agreement between the test performed on the two sides was higher in CrossFit groups for hurdle step (93.2%), in line lung (86%), rotary stability test (95.3%) and shoulder mobility (90.7%; p<0.001). Conclusions: CrossFitters seem to have a high level of concordance in the scores achieved in bi-lateral test. CrossFit seems to produce marked symmetry in some fundamental movements compared to weightlifting and bodybuilding.

Desempenho no teste FMS® em mulheres e homens praticantes de exercício resistido

“…Em um estudo avaliando lutadores brasileiros de jiu-jitsu, também não foram encontradas diferenças entre os sexos para o escore total, sendo que os homens apresentaram valores médios de 12,7 ± 3,4 pontos, e as mulheres, de 13,8 ± 2,2 pontos 21 . Tafuri et al 18 reportaram escores totais de 15,2 ± 1,7, 14,8 ± 2,0 e 14,2 ± 1,9 pontos, respectivamente, para atletas de Crossfit, levantadores de peso e fisiculturistas, em uma amostra predominantemente feminina (71%).…”

“…Recentemente, Tafuri et al 18 avaliaram homens e mulheres praticantes de diferentes modalidades que envolvem ERs (CrossFit, fisiculturismo e halterofilismo).…”

Validity and Reliability of the New Basic Functional Assessment Protocol (BFA)

“…In a study published by Larsen et al [51] it was corroborated that simple visual observation methods to assess the scapular function present a better reliability compared with other types of more complex measuring. The SMT test is used to evaluate the functionality of the upper part of the body [52]. Manifestations proposed for SMT are considered suitable to discover poor motion patterns within the upper extremities.…”

Breaking the myths of competition: a cross-sectional analysis of injuries among CrossFit trained participants

“…As described by Feito et al in a recent review, 6 the number of studies examining the incidence of injuries in this training modality have increased over the last decade. Since 2013, several studies have provided insight into the incidence and risks of musculoskeletal injuries associated with CrossFit training in the USA, 14 25 34 48-50 Brazil, 37 Italy, 51 the Netherlands, 52 Portugal 53 and the UK. 54 Collectively, these authors have reported injury rates of less than 3 injuries per 1000 hours, which is similar to other weight lifting sports, 55 and considerably lower than injury rates related to more traditional training programmes.…”