Physiological Performance Measures as Indicators of CrossFit® Performance

Abstract

CrossFit® began as another exercise program to improve physical fitness and has rapidly grown into the “sport of fitness”. However, little is understood as to the physiological indicators that determine CrossFit® sport performance. The purpose of this study was to determine which physiological performance measure was the greatest indicator of CrossFit® workout performance. Male (n = 12) and female (n = 5) participants successfully completed a treadmill graded exercise test to measure maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), a 3-minute all-out running test (3MT) to determine critical speed (CS) and the finite capacity for running speeds above CS (D′), a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) to assess anaerobic peak and mean power, the CrossFit® total to measure total body strength, as well as the CrossFit® benchmark workouts: Fran, Grace, and Nancy. It was hypothesized that CS and total body strength would be the greatest indicators of CrossFit® performance. Pearson’s r correlations were used to determine the relationship of benchmark performance data and the physiological performance measures. For each benchmark-dependent variable, a stepwise linear regression was created using significant correlative data. For the workout Fran, back squat strength explained 42% of the variance. VO2max explained 68% of the variance for the workout Nancy. Lastly, anaerobic peak power explained 57% of the variance for performance on the CrossFit® total. In conclusion, results demonstrated select physiological performance variables may be used to predict CrossFit® workout performance.

Physiological predictors of competitive performance in CrossFit®athletes

“…For instance, we recently observed that power-related indices measured on the squat test were related to a greater performance in most of the WODs analyzed (3). Similarly, in agreement with our findings, other authors recently reported that the PPO measured during a WAnT was related to performance in two out of the four WODs analyzed (5). Of note, some CrossFit exercises included in this study such as singles or double unders involve repeated jumps.…”

“…Finally, an interesting finding of this study was that both ‘aerobic-’ and ‘anaerobic’-related markers were related to CrossFit performance, as measured by the VO 2max and Vpeak during the incremental test, and the MPO or PPO during the WAnT. These results are in agreement with those of previous studies, in which VO 2max was related to performance in CrossFit WODs such as Fran, Cindy or Grace (5). Moreover, other authors have also found a relationship between performance on the WAnT and performance in different types of WODs (20).…”

“…In most CrossFit exercises, athletes not only have to lift or throw an external load, but also their own body mass. For this reason, as in other sports, trying to reach a balance between maximum strength and body mass will be of paramount importance (19), although in this case the importance can likely differ depending on the WOD performed (2,3,5).…”

“…CrossFit is a strength and conditioning exercise program that combines weightlifting, gymnastics, and traditional ‘aerobic’ exercise modalities (e.g., running, rowing, cycling), all of which are performed as quickly as possible within different types of workout sessions – known as “Workout of the Day” (WOD) (1). Despite the popularity of this type of training (1) as well as that of CrossFit competitions (known as Opens, and consisting of five WODs performed consecutively during one month), there is scarce evidence on the determinants of performance in this sport (2–5).…”

“…Some studies have found a relationship between markers of maximal aerobic capacity (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake [VO 2max ]) and CrossFit performance (2,4,5). Moreover, we and others (2,3,5) observed that the strongest (e.g., those with the highest 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) and most powerful (e.g., those with the highest power values during the full squat exercise or the Wingate Anaerobic Test [WAnT]) athletes achieved a higher CrossFit performance. However, this relationship seems to be dependent on the type of WOD analyzed (2,4,5).…”