Abstract
BackgroundContemporary literature indicates that a higher body mass index (BMI) serves as a risk factor for metabolic disease and is also correlated with greater disease severity. Subsequently, it has been linked to increased COVID-19 severity. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether regular CrossFit™ participation was associated with lower BMI, decreased COVID-19 severity and susceptibility.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 1806 CrossFit™ (CF) participants. Participants were asked about their age (yrs), sex (male vs. female), ethnic group, body height (cm) and weight (kg). Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was computed and consistent with WHO (2018) criteria. Participants self-reported their training history, health and lifestyle history, nutritional customs, present training status and suspected levels of exposure to COVID-19. Once submitted the collected data were coded, cleaned and analysed.ResultsThe final model comprised of 1806 CF individuals from an online survey response rate of 2086. The participants age ranged from 18 to 65+ yrs. Self-reported mean body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) reported that < 1% were underweight, 41% were healthy, 46% overweight, 10% class I obese, 2% class II obese, and < 1% class III obese. A Kruskal–Wallis H test compared gender and self-reported probability of being infected with COVID-19 with significant differences between subgroups (x2 (4, N = 1739) = 10.86, p = 0.03). Analysis of BMI and perceived severity of COVID-19 revealed a difference however not, significant (x2 (4, N = 1739) = 9.46, p = 0.051). Results on BMI and perceived probability of COVID-19 infection revealed no significant difference (x2 (4, N = 1739) = 2.68, p = 0.61). A separate analysis on BMI and perceived COVID-19 susceptibility revealed no significant difference (x2 (4, N = 1740) = 6.02, p = 0.20).ConclusionsThe purpose of the study was to establish whether habitual CrossFit™ participation is associated with reduced BMI, and to further investigate whether habitual participation impacted perceptions of disease. Results of the study indicate that self-reported CrossFit™ participation during the first UK lockdown, measured in minutes of exercise was indicative of a lower BMI. This has been associated with greater host immunity to disease. A history of CrossFit™ participation was not shown to impact perceptions of disease. However, our sample population reported few changes to habitual exercise during lockdown which may be due to the ‘community’ and increased adherence associated with CrossFit™.
Highlights
Contemporary literature indicates that a higher body mass index (BMI) serves as a risk factor for metabolic disease and is correlated with greater disease severity
Subscale values were computed only if more than 50% of the relevant items were valid with missing values either replaced by the subscale mean (Beglin and Fairburn 1992), otherwise cases were excluded
The purpose of the study was to establish whether habitual CrossFitTM participation is associated with reduced BMI, which is often considered a marker for increased risk of chronic disease and infection
Summary
Contemporary literature indicates that a higher body mass index (BMI) serves as a risk factor for metabolic disease and is correlated with greater disease severity. CrossFitTM was established in the year 2000 and is considered a form of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) with a global reach of 10,000 affiliates [6]. It is Redwood‐Brown et al BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil (2021) 13:106 distinguishable from other forms of HIFT due to a broad focus across multiple fitness domains (see Table 1). As such, it promotes physical competency across the breadth of the fitness continuum, rather than facilitating specialisation. Individuals on the fitness end of the continuum need to pass through wellness before they get sick
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