Physiological predictors of competitive performance in CrossFit^®athletes

Abstract

20The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables could 21 predict performance during a CrossFit competition. Fifteen male CrossFit athletes (35 ± 22 9 years) participated and performed a series of tests (incremental load test for full squat 23 and bench press, jump tests, incremental running test, and Wingate test) that were used 24 as potential predictors of CrossFit performance. Thereafter, they performed the five 25 Workouts of the Day (WODs) corresponding to the CrossFit Games Open 2019, and the 26 relationship between each variable and CrossFit performance was analyzed. Overall 27 Crossfit performance (i.e., final ranking considering all WODs) was significantly related 28 to jump ability, mean and peak power output during the Wingate test, relative maximum 29 strength for the full squat and the bench press, and maximum oxygen uptake and 30 maximum speed during an incremental running test (all p<0.05, r=0.58-0.75), although 31 the relationship of most markers varied depending on the analyzed WOD. Multiple linear 32 regression analysis showed that the combination of maximum oxygen uptake, squat jump 33 ability, and reactive strength index accounted for 81% of the variance in overall CrossFit 34 performance (p=0.0003). CrossFit performance seems dependent on a variety of power-, 35 strength-, and aerobic-related markers, which reflects the complexity of this sport. 36 Improvements in aerobic capacity may help people and athletes in CrossFit performance 37 and well-being. Also, focus on lower body power could be the key to obtain better 38 performance markers. 39 40 Key words: sport, VO 2 max, strength, power, relative strength index, benchmark 41 performance 42 3 43 Introduction 44 CrossFit is a strength and conditioning exercise program that combines 45 weightlifting, gymnastics, and traditional 'aerobic' exercise modalities (e.g., running, 46 rowing, cycling), all of which are performed as quickly as possible within different types 47 of workout sessions -known as "Workout of the Day" (WOD) (1). Despite the popularity 48 of this type of training (1) as well as that of CrossFit competitions (known as Opens, and 49 consisting of five WODs performed consecutively during one month), there is scarce 50 evidence on the determinants of performance in this sport (2-5). 51 Some studies have found a relationship between markers of maximal aerobic 52 capacity (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake [VO 2max ]) and CrossFit performance (2,4,5). 53 Moreover, we and others (2,3,5) observed that the strongest (e.g., those with the highest 54 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) and most powerful (e.g., those with the highest power 55 values during the full squat exercise or the Wingate Anaerobic Test [WAnT]) athletes 56 achieved a higher CrossFit performance. However, this relationship seems to be 57 dependent on the type of WOD analyzed (2,4,5). 58 There is still much controversy about which tests or physiological variables can 59 be used to predict CrossFit performance, and this seems to be partly due to the wide 60 var...