Characterization of Hormonal, Metabolic, and Inflammatory Responses in CrossFit® Training: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: CrossFit® training is a high-intensity functional training program that aims to increase physical functional performance through biochemical responses, i.e., hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory responses. Most hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory changes induced by CrossFit® training have been reported in isolated clinical studies. The purpose of this review was to systematically explore the existing literature on characterization of hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory responses resulting from CrossFit® training. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from August 2019 to October 2019. Studies were selected through critical review of the content. Using specific keywords, 623 articles were found, of which 597 were excluded for ineligibility, and 25 were eligible. The papers were separated according to subject area: hormonal ( n = 8), metabolic ( n = 19), and inflammatory ( n = 6) changes. All were published between 2015 and 2019. Results: This review reveals potential effects of CrossFit® training on hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory responses. However, studies had low levels of evidence and reliability due to methodological limitations. Conclusion: In summary, the results showed a greater volume and intensity of workouts accentuate the responses, that are of paramount importance for improving understanding of the effects of CrossFit ® training and serve as a basis for prescribing future exercise protocols.

Comparison of Physiological Responses and Training Load between Different CrossFit® Workouts with Equalized Volume in Men and Women

“…The execution of the WOD is typically performed with short or no intervals between exercises and repetitions and rounds [ 3 ]. Previous studies have identified several hormonal and immune responses [ 4 , 5 ], metabolic responses [ 1 , 6 ] and cardiovascular and perceptual responses [ 6 , 7 ] after CrossFit ® workouts.…”

Efeito agudo da suplementação de capsaicina na percepção subjetiva do esforço de uma sessão em competidores de Crossfit/ Acute effect of capsaicin supplementation on subjective perception of effort of a session in Crossfit competitors

“…A Capsaicina pode exercer um efeito analgésico central (CATERINA et al, 2000), o que ajuda a explicar a redução nos valores de PSEsessão encontrados no presente estudo. Tal efeito pode auxiliar, principalmente, em exercícios nos quais predominam a via anaeróbica lática, como o CrossFit (CLAUDINO et al, 2018;JACOB et al, 2020) Algumas limitações precisam ser consideradas no presente estudo: falta da análise de variáveis fisiológicas como a frequência cardíaca e produção de Lactato para correlacionar com a PSEsessão; falta de análise do desempenho dos voluntários no protocolo proposto; dificuldade em estipular um protocolo de teste para o CrossFit, uma vez que trata-se de uma modalidade com grande variações de tarefas nas competições.…”

“…O treinamento contém um conjunto de exercícios variados, com o objetivo de que todo o corpo realize esforços em um período curto de tempo, priorizando exercícios de alta intensidade e um volume maior de repetições (GLASSMAN, 2005;CLAUDINO et al 2018). Dentre a capacidades físicas exigidas, a resistência de força ou capacidade de resistir à fadiga no treinamento de força, representa um fator fundamental para o desempenho competitivo de várias modalidades esportivas, especialmente, no CrossFit (PICONI et al, 2019;JACOB et al, 2020). As competições de CrossFit são compostas por WODs, e o desempenho pode ser determinado pelo maior número de repetições realizadas no tempo preestabelecido, por exemplo (CLAUDINO et al, 2018).…”

Time Course of Recovery Following Crossfit® Karen Benchmark Workout in Trained Men

“…The greater metabolic stress induced in a CrossFit® session may lead to exerciseinduced muscle damage (EIMD), particularly when a high volume of repetitions is performed, with EIMD being even greater if the participants are unaccustomed to the exercises performed [11]. When comparing the perceptual responses and post-exercise physical disfunction between a CrossFit® session and a session based on the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine, Drum et al [12] found significant differences between sessions.…”

“…Despite the importance of performance and physiological markers, the perception of an athlete's readiness to perform describes a critical determinant of recovery. In this context, Laurent et al [14] proposed a perceived recovery status scale (PRS), which is similar but opposite to a perceived exertion scale (RPE) (10)(11)(12). Both scales are based on the subjective physical and mental feelings of the athlete.…”