Metabolic profile of a crossfit training bout

Abstract

CrossFit is a physically and metabolically-demanding training mode increasing in popularity among recreational athletes. Presently, however, scarce evidence is available documenting its energetic profile. This study investigated the metabolic characteristics of a CrossFit training bout as measured by expired gases and blood lactate. Eleven females and 7 males completed a 12-minute CrossFit bout on two occasions separated by three days. During both experimental sessions (Pt1, Pt2), subjects performed as many rounds as possible (AMRAP) within the timed workout which consisted of consisted of 12 box jumps (30" for males, 20" for females), 6 thrusters (24 kg for males, 16 kg for females), and 6 bar-facing burpees in sequence. Oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), blood lactate (BL), and repetitions completed were measured during both experimental sessions. The average VO2 and RER of both bouts (Pt1 and Pt2) was 37.0 ± 4.8 ml/kg/min and 1.04 ± 0.1, respectively. Average BL significantly increased above pre-exercise concentrations (3.0 ± 1.3 mmol/L) at 4 min (10.1 ± 3.2 mmol/L; p < 0.01), 8 min (12.3 ± 3.5 mmol/L; p < 0.01), and immediately post at 12 min (12.6 ± 3.9 mmol/L; p < 0.01). Repetitions completed in Pt2 (140.2 ± 25.9) were significantly different to repetitions completed in Pt1 (131.2 ± 27.2) (p = 0.023). Average repetitions completed in Pt1 and Pt 2 was 135.7 ± 26.6. These data suggest that CrossFit is a metabolicallydemanding conditioning method that relies heavily on both aerobic and anaerobic energy production and may represent an alternative to traditional methods of exercise to improve fitness and longevity.

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

“…The studies that described the training protocols analyzed participants who performed different combinations of multiple types of exercise modalities. CV, gymnastic and weightlifting exercises): gymnastic ( n = 2; Shaw et al, 2015 ; Ahmad et al, 2019 ), G + W ( n = 4; Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015 ; Escobar et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Timón et al, 2019 ), CV + weightlifting ( n = 6; Perciavalle et al, 2016 ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2017 , 2018a , b ; Coco et al, 2019 ; Feito et al, 2019a ), and CV + gymnastic + weightlifting ( n = 9; Tibana et al, 2016 , 2018 , 2019a , b ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Durkalec-Michalski et al, 2018 ; Mangine et al, 2018 , 2019 ).…”

“…The training intensity was verified in a few studies through heart rate (HR) assessment, in which the HR remained between 85.9 and 97.4% of the maximum HR (Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015 ; Murawska-Cialowicz et al, 2015 ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2018a , b ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2018 ; Tibana et al, 2018 ; Ahmad et al, 2019 ; Feito et al, 2019a ). Regarding the WOD time, 10 studies used protocols with times <10 min (Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015 ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2017 , 2018a , b ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Mangine et al, 2018 , 2019 ; Tibana et al, 2018 ; Timón et al, 2019 ), 13 studies used protocols with times between 10 and 19 min (Murawska-Cialowicz et al, 2015 ; Shaw et al, 2015 ; Escobar et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2017 , 2018a , b ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2017 ; Durkalec-Michalski et al, 2018 ; Mangine et al, 2018 , 2019 ; Tibana et al, 2018 ; Feito et al, 2019a ), and five studies used protocols with times over 20 min (Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015 ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Mangine et al, 2018 ; Tibana et al, 2019b ).…”

“…Nineteen studies (Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015 ; Murawska-Cialowicz et al, 2015 ; Shaw et al, 2015 ; Escobar et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Perciavalle et al, 2016 ; Tibana et al, 2016 , 2018 , 2019a ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2017 , 2018a ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Durkalec-Michalski et al, 2018 ; Ahmad et al, 2019 ; Cadegiani et al, 2019 ; Coco et al, 2019 ; Feito et al, 2019a ; Timón et al, 2019 ) investigated metabolic responses (see Table 2 ). The metabolic variables analyzed were lactate (Fernandez-Fernandez et al, 2015 ; Murawska-Cialowicz et al, 2015 ; Shaw et al, 2015 ; Escobar et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Perciavalle et al, 2016 ; Tibana et al, 2016 , 2018 , 2019b ; Maté-Muñoz et al, 2017 , 2018 ; Durkalec-Michalski et al, 2018 ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2018a ; Ahmad et al, 2019 ; Cadegiani et al, 2019 ; Coco et al, 2019 ; Feito et al, 2019a ; Timón et al, 2019 ), glycemia (Shaw et al, 2015 ; Perciavalle et al, 2016 ; Tibana et al, 2016 ; Kliszczewicz et al, 2017 ; Durkalec-Michalski et al, 2018 ; Cadegiani et al, 2019 ; Coco et al, 2019 ; Timón et al, 2019 ), cholesterol (Shaw et al, 2015 ), creatinine (Cadegiani et al, 2019 ), GOT and GPT (Timón et al, 2019 ).…”

Predicting the Unknown and the Unknowable. Are Anthropometric Measures and Fitness Profile Associated with the Outcome of a Simulated CrossFit® Competition?

“…Several cohort studies have reported improvements in VO 2 max [ 4 , 5 ], body composition [ 6 , 7 ], and specific work capacity [ 8 ] in men and women in interventions ranging from 6 to 10 weeks. Thus, CrossFit ® WODs are a demanding form of exercise, and physiologically, both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms influence the athlete’s performance [ 9 ].…”

Effect of Crossfit Training on Jump and Strength

“…Most CrossFit training protocols do not have a rest period so that individuals have the ability to produce high power. Beside these, the individuals try to make movements as fast as possible or to complete as much work as possible within a given time period (Escobar et al, 2017). High intensity interval training and body weight training are among the top three on the worldwide fitness trend list of 2017 (Thompson, 2017).…”