Abstract
To evaluate the feasibility of on-site collection of subjective anxiety, autonomic nervous system activity, and salivary catecholamines surrounding high-intensity functional training (HIFT) competition, ten experienced HIFT competitors completed baseline assessments of anxiety and heart rate variability (HRV). Then, in two consecutive weeks (Workout 1 and 2) within the competition, HRV was recorded and examined in 5-min segments prior to exercise (PRE) and across a 30-min period after competitors completed their choice of the prescribed or scaled each workout. Subjective anxiety ratings and saliva samples were collected at PRE and immediately-(IP), 30-min (30P), and 60-min post-exercise (60P). Saliva samples were analyzed for concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Generalized linear mixed models with repeated measures revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences between workouts for all measures. Compared to Workout 1, anxiety (~50%), epinephrine (173–340%), norepinephrine (29–234%) were greater in Workout 2 and various HRV-derived indices were more depressed. Additionally, some HRV-derived indices appeared to be modulated (p < 0.05) by competitive level and sex at PRE and throughout the 30-min recovery period. These data suggest that autonomic activity may differ between the competitive and laboratory settings, and that the response may be further modulated by the workout’s design, the athlete’s sex, and competitive level.
Highlights
In sports and training, success can be heavily influenced by the manner and rate of recovery that occurs between competitive events or workouts [1]
Unlike previous reports on high-intensity functional training (HIFT) performed in a laboratory setting [6,15], differences were noted between measures collected during the baseline visit and pre-exercise, as well between workouts at prior to exercise (PRE)
The competitors reported being more anxious and were found to have higher catecholamine concentrations prior to exercise in Workout 2, whereas the differences noted in some heart rate variability (HRV)-derived indices appeared to be dependent on the workout and their sex and competitive level
Summary
Success (or failure) can be heavily influenced by the manner and rate of recovery that occurs between competitive events or workouts [1]. The most popular competition, featuring high-intensity functional training (HIFT), is an annual, international, multi-stage event used to identify ‘the fittest on earth’ held by CrossFit®. It begins with an online fitness competition Open) that consists of several novel workouts that are released individually over a 5-week period. Multiple maximal efforts might lead to prolonged perturbations to homeostasis [1,2]. The combination of training and multiple, maximal efforts over a prolonged period may be a recipe for overtraining [3,4,5], in individuals who are not accustomed to the demands of HIFT competition (i.e., recreational athletes)
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