Improving health-related fitness in adolescents: The CrossFit Teens randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: High levels of health-related physical fitness (especially body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness) are associated with improvements in a range of physical, cognitive and psychological health outcomes. However, physical activity levels decline dramatically during adolescence and global estimates suggest that 80% are not meeting physical activity guidelines, almost 25% of adolescent girls and boys are overweight or obese, and that the majority of overweight youth remain overweight in adulthood. There is clearly a need for researchers to find engaging and novel ways of helping adolescents participate in health-enhancing physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of the CrossFit Teens™ resistance training program for improving health-related fitness and resistance training skill competency in adolescents in the school setting.