Abstract
Despite its increase in popularity, little is known about how to best quantify internal training loads from functional fitness training (FFT) sessions. The purpose of this study was to assess which method [training impulse (TRIMP) or session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE)] is more accurate to monitor training loads in FFT. Eight trained males (age 28.1 ± 6.0 years) performed an ALL-OUT FFT session and an intensity-controlled session (RPE of six out of 10). Internal load was determined via Edward’s TRIMP (eTRIMP), Bannister’s TRIMP (bTRIMP), and sRPE. Heart rate was measured continuously during the session, while blood lactate and rate of perceived exertion were measured at baseline, and immediately and 30 min after the sessions. ALL-OUT blood lactate and RPE were significantly higher immediately and 30 min after the session compared to the RPE6 condition. ALL-OUT training load was significantly different between conditions using bTRIMP (61.1 ± 10.6 vs. 55.7 ± 12.4 AU) and sRPE (91.7 ± 30.4 vs. 42.6 ± 14.9 AU), with sRPE being more sensitive to such differences [p = 0.045, effect size (ES) = 0.76 and p = 0.002, ES = 1.82, respectively]. No differences in the training loads of the different sessions were found using eTRIMP (93.1 ± 9.5 vs. 84.9 ± 13.7 AU, p = 0.085). Only sRPE showed a significant correlation with lactate 30 min post session (p = 0.015; p = 0.596, large). sRPE was more accurate than both TRIMP methods to represent the overall training load of the FFT sessions. While the use of sRPE is advised, further research is necessary to establish its ability to reflect changes in fitness, fatigue, and performance during a period of training.
Highlights
Functional fitness training (FFT) involves the performance of functional exercises, in sessions that are short, intense, and that challenges multiple physiological systems at the same time (Feito et al, 2018; Falk Neto and Kennedy, 2019)
The primary aim of this study was to assess which method [Bannister’s training impulse (TRIMP), Edward’s TRIMP, or session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE)] is more accurate to determine the training loads of FFT sessions performed at different intensities
Participants completed a higher number of repetitions (214.4 ± 18.6) during the ALL-OUT session when compared to the RPE6 session (190.5 ± 12.5)
Summary
Functional fitness training (FFT) involves the performance of functional exercises (those that involve whole body, universal motor recruitment patterns, and executed in multiple planes of movement), in sessions that are short, intense, and that challenges multiple physiological systems at the same time (Feito et al, 2018; Falk Neto and Kennedy, 2019). The sessions are usually performed in a circuit, utilizing a combination of weightlifting and calisthenic exercises, often combined with short intervals of high-intensity cardiovascular work. Many of these sessions are performed as all-out efforts (Derek et al, 2018), where the goal is to complete the task in the shortest amount of time possible or to complete the highest amount of work in a set period of time (Crawford et al, 2018; Falk Neto and Kennedy, 2019; Tibana et al, 2019a). Long-term adherence to a FFT program may cause excessive fatigue and non-functional overreaching due to the all-out intensities constantly required in FFT sessions
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