Abstract
Physical activity (PA) classes help college students add weekly PA, which can help improve health and maintain body weight. Traditional weight training (TWT) can improve strength and aerobic capacity. High-intensity functional training such as CrossFit® (CF) provides time-efficient workouts with both muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises. Limited research has compared these classes for college students. We examined changes in muscular strength, power, and endurance as well as body composition. Participants were 85 healthy college students enrolled in TWT (n = 36, age 22.6 ± 4.1 years, 72.2% male) or CF (n = 49, age 21.8 ± 3.2 years, 55.1% male) classes meeting twice/wk for 8 weeks between October 2017 and May 2018. Baseline and posttest measurements included a vertical jump, grip strength, a 2 min push-up test, a 1 min squat test, height, weight, and a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Although no significant group × time interactions were found, there was a significant main effect of time for push-ups and squats (both p < 0.001). Participants enjoyed the classes and most planned to continue. Both classes improved muscular endurance although no significant differences were found between them. Activity classes provide college students with an option for increasing their weekly PA and help maintain body composition. Future research should examine the benefits from longer or more frequent classes.
Highlights
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) recommends individuals engage weekly in moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity (PA) as well as muscle strengthening activities [1]
There was a significant difference in baseline BF%, t = 2.871, p = 0.006, where those who dropped out had significantly greater BF% at baseline (37.2 ± 6.9% versus 24.8 ± 9.4%); and in baseline squat repetitions, t = 2.536, p = 0.014, where those who dropped out completed fewer squats at the baseline (30.4 ± 17.3 versus 41.7 ± 8.5 repetitions)
This study provides evidence of changes in muscular endurance associated with two different types of college
Summary
Examining PA classes designed for college students is relevant and may assist in determining the best types of classes to offer to improve health, prevent weight gain, and increase adherence in college students. The transition to college includes many social forces that can negatively impact students’ nutrition, drinking, and PA habits [2,8] This is reflected by a period of weight gain during the freshman year where the majority of students (60.9%) gain an average of 3.38 kg [3]. The Introduction to CF class was designed to introduce the students to CF workouts and programming methodology including functional movements with emphasis on maintaining proper posture through the body’s normal range of motion and how to safely increase intensity. Note that the loads used were individually determined in consultation with the course instructor, a CF
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