Abstract

The effects of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on body composition and the relationship of the latter with performance are not well defined. In this work we investigated, by means of Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, the relative proportions of fat-, lean soft tissue-, and mineral mass in CrossFit® (CF, a popular mode of HIFT) participants (n = 24; age, 28.2 ± 3.39 y; BMI, 25.3 ± 2.04 kg/m2) with at least 1 year of CF training experience and weekly amount of training > 10 h/w (n = 13; Higher Training, HT) or < 10 h/w (n = 11; Lower Training, LT) as well as age- matched and BMI-matched physically active controls (CHT, CLT). Performance was assessed in the “Fran” workout. Data were analyzed by one-way or repeated measures ANOVA where needed. Association between variables was assessed with the Pearson’s correlation coefficient r. Partial correlation was used where needed. Results showed that HT performed better than LT in the “Fran” (P < 0.001) and they had higher whole-body bone mineral density (P = 0.026) and higher lean soft mass (P = 0.002), and borderline lower percent fat mass (P = 0.050). The main difference between CF participants (HT, LT) and their respective controls (CHT, CLT) was a lower adiposity in the former. In CF participants, performance positively correlated with appendicular lean soft tissue mass (P = 0.030). It can be concluded that, in CF participants, a higher amount of weekly training improves most notably lean body mass and increases performance in association with increased skeletal muscle mass. CF participation is especially effective in reducing fat mass vs. age- and BMI-matched physically active controls.

Highlights

  • Over the last several years, High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT; [1]) has been constantly gaining popularity, possibly due to a greater degree of enjoyment for the participants and shorter training duration vs. conventional training methods, while improving fitness and overall health [2,3]

  • After controlling for CF experience, a significant difference persisted between HT and LT for Arms areal bone mineral density (aBMD) only (P = 0.012); this indicates that cumulative exposure to impact training exercise was more effective than amount of training on aBMD in the weight-bearing skeleton

  • Taking into account that a 5.4% increase in aBMD is equal to a 64% increase in ultimate force and 94% increase in energy to failure in experimental animals [20], it is suggested that higher amount of CF training had an important effect on bone health of non-weight bearing parts of the skeleton, which was independent of body mass and duration of CF participation

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Summary

Introduction

Over the last several years, High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT; [1]) has been constantly gaining popularity, possibly due to a greater degree of enjoyment for the participants and shorter training duration vs. conventional training methods, while improving fitness and overall health [2,3]. CrossFit (CF; CrossFit, Inc., Washington, DC, USA) is a mode of HIFT, which has gained a very large number of participants worldwide, with over 400,000.

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