Abstract
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) has become a popular method in the sports and fitness sector. In contrast to unimodal approaches such as strength or endurance training, it has been hypothesized to induce concurrent adaptations in multiple markers of motor function. However, to date, the effectiveness of HIFT in this regard has not been studied. The present systematic review quantified the chronic effects of HIFT on motor function in healthy individuals. A multilevel meta-analysis with a robust random effects meta-regession model was used to pool the standardized mean differences (SMD) between (a) HIFT and (b) no-exercise (NEX) as well as conventional endurance, resistance and balance training for outcomes of muscle strength, endurance capacity and balance. The influence of possible effect modifiers such as program duration, session duration, age or sex was examined in a moderator analysis. Seventeen papers with moderate to high methodological quality (PEDro scale) were identified. Compared to NEX, HIFT had small to moderate positive effects on endurance capacity (SMD: 0.42, 95% CI 0.07–0.78, p = 0.03) and strength (0.60, 95% CI 0.02–1.18, p = 0.04) but no effect on balance (SMD: − 0.10, 95% CI − 1.13 to 0.92, p = 0.42). Regarding endurance, HIFT showed similar effectiveness as moderate-intensity endurance training (SMD: − 0.11, 95% CI − 1.17 to 0.95, p = 0.75) and high-intensity interval endurance training (SMD: − 0.15, 95% CI − 1.4 to 1.1, p = 0.66). No comparisons of HIFT vs. classical resistance or balance training were found. Moderator analyses revealed no influence of most effect modifiers. However, regarding endurance, females seemed to respond more strongly to HIFT in the comparison to NEX (p < .05). HIFT appears to represent an appropriate method to induce chronic improvements in motor function. While being superior to NEX and non-inferior to endurance training, current evidence does not allow a comparison against resistance and balance training. The impact of possible effect moderators should be further elucidated in future research.
Highlights
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) has become a popular method in the sports and fitness sector
In order to gauge the potential of HIFT in exercise counseling for inactive individuals and program design for athletes, its effectiveness needs to be compared to classical exercise regimes
The algorithms used returned a total of 1372 records
Summary
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) has become a popular method in the sports and fitness sector. High-intensity functional training (HIFT) has become a popular trend in the sports and fitness s ector[1] It is commonly characterized as the strenuous performance of exercises mimicking movements of daily life (e.g. squats, lunges or push-ups) interspersed with short breaks[2]. Analyses of team sports show that many markers of motor function (e.g. strength, running endurance, postural control) are not or only weakly predictive of performance when considered in isolation[7,8]. Despite the existence of related trials with an appropriate study design (RCT and crossover trials), there is no quantitative data synthesis pooling their findings using meta-analytic techniques It is unknown, which variables moderate the potential effects of HIFT on parameters of motor function. The present systematic review with meta-analysis, aimed to investigate the effects of HIFT on motor performance as compared to classical training methods
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
