Examination Of Recovery And Dietary Needs In Crossfit Athletes

Abstract

CrossFit is a popular strength and conditioning program that implements constant varied, high-intensity, functional movements. Due to the large amount of energy expended, it is critical to examine recovery and dietary needs for these athletes. PURPOSE: To examine recovery, muscle glycogen stores, and dietary needs in CrossFit athletes. METHODS: Local moderately trained CrossFit athletes (n=8; ages: 26 ±1 year) participated in a consecutive 5 day study. Participants consisted of 4 males (height: 183.1±5.5 cm; weight: 92.6±20.2 kg) and 4 females (height: 163.9±2.4 cm; weight: 63.8±2.8 kg). Height, weight, body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were measured. MuscleSound ultrasound measured muscle glycogen stores pre-post workout in the gastrocnemius (GS) and rectus femoris (RF). Perceived recovery scale (PRS), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and 5 days of dietary logs assessed diet and daily recovery. RESULTS: Participants exercised 38.6±7.7 mins/workout with exercise energy expenditure (EEE) estimated at 392.1±102.4 kcal/workout. Energy needs for all participants included: energy intake (EI: 1665.1±571.1 kcal/day; energy availability (EA: 27.4.0±11.8 kcal/kg/d FFM), and total energy expenditure (TEE: 2586.21±278.2 kcals/day). Overall, 100% of athletes reported under the recommendation for CHO intake (6-10 g/kg); 62.5% (n=5) reported under the recommendation for protein intake (1.2-1.7 g/kg), and 100% of athletes met the fat recommendations (20-35%) for athletes. Overall, there was no significance between PRS and RPE and daily workouts. When examining muscle glycogen across 5 days, 17.5% participants reported low muscle glycogen and 10% increased muscle glycogen in the GS. In addition, 27.5% participants reported low muscle glycogen and 10% increased muscle glycogen in the RF. CONCLUSION: No differences were found in PRS and RPE, yet low muscle glycogen levels in some participants were revealed; thus leading to athletes poorly judging how adequately their muscles are recovering between workouts. Participants were also below the daily recommendations for CHOs set by American Dietetic Association. Greater CHO in a diet causes higher muscle glycogen availability; therefore education on dietary needs is recommended for these athletes.