What does this research mean for the field?

A 12-week structured CrossFit training program produces greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, including increased VO2 max and ventilatory threshold, compared to traditional weight training. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the physiological effects of a structured 12-week CrossFit programme on cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic endurance compared with traditional weight training using a mixed-methods approach.

September 30, 2026Physical Education Theory and MethodologyOpen Access

Physiological Responses to CrossFit Training: Evaluation of Aerobic Endurance through Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A 12-week structured CrossFit training program significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake by 8.2% compared to a 1.9% increase with traditional resistance training (mean difference 2.76 mL/kg/min).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Regular exercisers (n=80). Intervention: CrossFit training vs. Traditional resistance training. Primary outcome: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) (MD 2.76, 95% CI 1.95-3.57, p=<0.001).

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Key result

CrossFit linked to ~8% improvement in VO2max versus traditional resistance training.

MD 2.76
95% CI 1.95-3.57
P<0.001
n=80

Why the study?

CrossFit is a high-intensity training method potentially effective for improving aerobic endurance, but its effects on cardiorespiratory fitness require evaluation.

Does a 12-week structured CrossFit programme improve maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) compared to traditional resistance training in regular exercisers?

Population

80 regular exercisers aged 20–35

Comparison

CrossFit training vs weight training

Design

Mixed-methods study with quantitative CPET and qualitative interviews

Follow-up

12 weeks

Authors

GSGiovanna ScalaParthenope University of Naples ESEmma SaraielloParthenope University of Naples MTMaria Giovanna TafuriPegaso University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

May support CrossFit for cardiorespiratory fitness in young adults; hypothesis-generating and requires confirmation in randomized trials.

Key Points

To evaluate the physiological effects of a structured 12-week CrossFit programme on cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic endurance compared with traditional weight training using a mixed-methods approach.
Enrolled 80 regular exercisers (aged 20–35) divided into an experimental group (CrossFit) and a control group (weight training).
Conducted cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at baseline (T0) and after 12 weeks (T1) to measure VO₂ max, ventilatory threshold, and submaximal heart rate response.
Administered semi-structured post-intervention qualitative interviews analysed using thematic analysis alongside two-way mixed-design ANOVA for quantitative data.
The CrossFit group achieved a significantly higher average increase in VO₂ max compared with the control group (+8.2% vs. +1.9%).
Ventilatory threshold improved by +6.4% in the CrossFit group compared with +1.1% in the control group.
Heart rate at identical submaximal loads decreased by −3.7% in the CrossFit group versus −0.9% in the control group, matching qualitative reports of enhanced breathing efficiency and fatigue resistance.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=80)

Randomization

None

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does a 12-week structured CrossFit programme improve maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) compared to traditional resistance training in regular exercisers?

Population

80 healthy regular exercisers aged 20-35 with at least four years of training experience, followed for 12 weeks.

Intervention

Structured CrossFit programme (high-intensity functional training) consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks.

Comparator

Traditional resistance-training programme (weight training) consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks.

Outcome

Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at 12 weeks.surrogate

Main Result

Mean Difference: 2.76 (95% CI 1.95–3.57)

Absolute Event Rate: 3.6% vs 0.84%

p-value: p=<0.001

A 12-week structured CrossFit program significantly improves objective measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, including VO2 max and ventilatory threshold, compared to traditional resistance training.

Limitations

Non-randomized group allocation based on habitual training modality
No age subgroup analysis conducted

Cite This Study

Scala et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Regular exercisers (n=80). CrossFit training vs. Traditional resistance training was evaluated on Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) (MD 2.76, 95% CI 1.95-3.57, p=<0.001). A 12-week structured CrossFit training program significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake by 8.2% compared to a 1.9% increase with traditional resistance training (mean difference 2.76 mL/kg/min).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6abc576efbfca106a1247e5a https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2026.5.11

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Physiological Responses to CrossFit Training: Evaluation of Aerobic Endurance through Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Cite This Study

Physiological Responses to CrossFit Training: Evaluation of Aerobic Endurance through Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider