Key result
CrossFit over one year linked to ~33% greater VO2 peak versus sedentary adults.
Why the study?
High-intensity functional training can play a major role in preventing cardiometabolic disease, with the majority of interventions incorporating CrossFit training.
Does chronic CrossFit participation improve metabolic response, mitochondrial oxidative capacity, and vascular function compared to a sedentary lifestyle in healthy young adults?
Observational (n=21)
No
Does chronic CrossFit participation improve metabolic response, mitochondrial oxidative capacity, and vascular function compared to a sedentary lifestyle in healthy young adults?
Absolute Event Rate: 43.32% vs 31.05%
p-value: p=<0.001
Chronic participation in high-intensity functional training (CrossFit) is associated with significantly improved aerobic capacity, metabolic flexibility, and mitochondrial oxidative capacity compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
Should not yet change exercise guidance; hypothesis-generating association in healthy adults requiring prospective trials.
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) can play a major role in preventing cardiometabolic disease. The majority of HIFT interventions incorporate CrossFit (CF) training. We measured aerobic capacity, metabolic response during high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), resting mitochondrial oxidative capacity, and resting vascular function in adults who participated in CF training (> one year) vs. a sedentary group completing <2 h·wk-1 of structure exercise for > one year (SED). Twenty-one participants were recruited (CF n = 13 vs. SED n = 8). CF participants had a 33.0% greater relative VO2 peak (p<.001) and lower body fat percentage (CF = 18.6 [3.8] vs. SED = 30.3 [8.4]; p<.001). CF participants had higher exercising substrate oxidation when expressed as absolute and body weight relative values (p<.013), but not when expressed relative to lean mass (p>.200). CF participants had greater mitochondrial oxidative capacity (p=.014). There were no differences in large artery function, but CF participants had greater baseline arterial diameter (p=.004) and faster reperfusion following arterial occlusion (p<.05). These data support HIFT programs’ effectiveness in improving fitness, weight status, and metabolic, mitochondrial, and vascular function.
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Pearson et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Healthy adults (n=21). CrossFit training vs. Sedentary lifestyle (<2 hours/week of structured exercise) was evaluated on Relative VO2 peak (ml/kg/min) (p=<0.001). Adults participating in CrossFit for over one year demonstrated a 33.0% greater relative VO2 peak, lower body fat percentage, and greater mitochondrial oxidative capacity compared to sedentary adults.
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