CROSSFIT-BASED HIGH-INTENSITY POWER TRAINING

IMPROVES MAXIMAL AEROBIC FITNESS AND BODY

COMPOSITION
MICHAEL M. SMITH, ALLAN J. SOMMER, BROOKE E. STARKOFF, AND STEVEN T. DEVOR
Health and Exercise Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION

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Smith, MM, Sommer, AJ, Starkoff, BE, and Devor, ST. Crossfit- igh-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been
based high-intensity power training improves maximal aerobic used as an alternative to traditional endurance
fitness and body composition. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): training for the improvement of aerobic fitness.
3159–3172, 2013—The purpose of this study was to examine HIIT is practical for many individuals due to the
the effects of a crossfit-based high-intensity power training (HIPT) minimal time commitment required when compared to tra-
ditional continuous endurance training. A relatively new var-
program on aerobic fitness and body composition. Healthy sub-
iation of HIIT has recently become popular and incorporates

CT
jects of both genders (23 men, 20 women) spanning all levels of
aerobic fitness and body composition completed 10 weeks of
HIPT consisting of lifts such as the squat, deadlift, clean, snatch,
and overhead press performed as quickly as possible. Additionally,
this crossfit-based HIPT program included skill work for the
improvement of traditional Olympic lifts and selected gymnastic
exercises. Body fat percentage was estimated using whole-body
high-intensity resistance training using varied, multiple-joint
movements. This high-intensity power training (HIPT) may
also offer improvement of aerobic fitness with minimal time
commitment compared with traditional aerobic training.
HIPT has recently become popular worldwide; however,
proponents have made many unsubstantiated claims.
HIPT differs from traditional HIIT in that it includes
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plethysmography, and maximal aerobic capacity (V _ O2max) was a lack of a prescribed rest period, focus on sustained high
measured by analyzing expired gasses during a Bruce protocol power output and use of multiple joint movements. This
maximal graded treadmill test. These variables were measured crossfit-based, HIPT program uses named “workouts of the
again after 10 weeks of training and compared for significant day” (WOD) in varied time domains. HIPT incorporates
changes using a paired t-test. Results showed significant (p , functional lifts such as the squat, deadlift, clean, snatch, and
0.05) improvements of V _ O2max in men (43.10 6 1.40 to 48.96 6 overhead press. Additionally, HIPT commonly uses basic
1.42 ml$kg $min ) and women (35.98 6 1.60 to 40.22 6
21 21 gymnastic exercises using rings, hand-stands, and parallel
T

bars. Some workouts are performed for a best time, and

1.62 ml$kg21$min21) and decreased body fat percentage in
others are performed in the “as many rounds as possible”
men (22.2 6 1.3 to 18.0 6 1.3) and women (26.6 6 2.0 to
(AMRAP) style using varying time domains, ranging from
23.2 6 2.0). These improvements were significant across all levels
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10 to 20 minutes. For example, a popular WOD uses 3 sets

of initial fitness. Significant correlations between absolute oxygen of 21, 15, and 9 repetitions of barbell front squats with an
consumption and oxygen consumption relative to body weight was overhead press, immediately followed by body weight
found in both men (r = 0.83, p , 0.001) and women (r = 0.94, p pull-ups. This WOD is performed with the goal of com-
, 0.001), indicating that HIPT improved V _ O2max scaled to body pleting the exercises as quickly as possible. In summary,
weight independent of changes to body composition. Our data a HIPT training session will often include a random selec-
show that HIPT significantly improves V _ O2max and body compo- tion of multiple joint exercises and train participants to
sition in subjects of both genders across all levels of fitness. complete these movements at high resistance as quickly
as possible. The sustained high power output associated
KEY WORDS interval training, aerobic fitness, body with HIPT might serve as a stimulus for positive adapta-
composition, crossfit, power training tions of maximal aerobic capacity (V_ O2max) and body
composition.
Although HIIT has been shown to improve body
Address correspondence to Dr. Steven T. Devor, [email protected]. composition (13) and V_ O2max (14) in healthy adults, it is
27(11)/3159–3172 not clear if HIPT could offer these same benefits. To date,
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research there have been no published investigations documenting
Ó 2013 National Strength and Conditioning Association changes to V_ O2max or body composition in response to this

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

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Figure 1. Representative sample of high-intensity power training protocol. AMRAP = as many rounds as possible; double-unders = 2 jump rope passes per
jump; HS = hand stand; HSPU = hand stand push-up; HSW = hand stand walk; KB = kettlebell. Percentages listed as relative to participants’ 1-repetition
maximum.

style of training. Therefore, our aim was to determine if an volunteers before and after a common HIPT training pro-
HIPT training regimen could yield significant improvements gram. We tested the hypothesis that a 10-week HIPT regi-
to V_ O2max and body composition in healthy adults. To men would improve V_ O2max and body composition in
achieve our aim, we measured maximal aerobic capacity healthy adult volunteers. Furthermore, we hypothesized that
using a Bruce protocol graded exercise test and body com- improvements of V_ O2max and body composition would be
position with whole-body plethysmography in healthy adult found across all levels of initial aerobic fitness and body
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TABLE 1. Complete WOD list for 10 weeks of HIPT training.*

Date Strength/skill WOD Notes

Week 1
1/9/2012 Back squat, 3 3 5 For best time: 95 lbs For men, 65
lbs for women for
thrusters
5 @ 65% 1RM 50 Air squat 15:00 Time limit
5 @ 75% 1RM 3 Flight stairs
5 @ 85% 1RM 100 Double under jump rope
25 Burpees
Assist pull-up 50 Double under jump rope
5 @ 65% 1RM 25 Burpees

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5 @ 75% 1RM 100 Double under jump rope
5 @ 85% 1RM 3 Flight stairs
50 Air squat
1/10/2012 10-min “double unders” AMRAP 12 min: HS; for novices
10-min HSW/HSPU/HS 7 Pull-ups HSPU; for
intermediates
1-mile Run for best time 14 Front squat HSW; for advanced
21 Push-ups with release
1/11/2012 Deadlift For best time: As many 3RM as

1/12/2012
5 @ 65% 1RM

5 @ 75% 1RM
5 @ 85% 1RM
Ring work 10 min
CT 30 Clean and jerk

21 Kettle bell swings

possible in
20 min
135 lbs For male,
95 lbs female

70-lb Kettle bell for

men, 53-lb kettle
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bell for women
Pull-ups and dips 21 Ring dips
15 Kettle bell swing
15 Ring dips
9 Kettle bell swings
9 Ring dips
1/13/2012 Back squat 3 Rounds for time:
5 @ 65% 1RM 5 Wide grip deadlift/high pull 135 lbs For men,
95 lbs women
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5 @ 75% 1RM 5 Squat press

5 @ 85% 1RM 5 Pull-ups
Assist pull-ups
5 @ 65% 1RM
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5 @ 75% 1RM
5 @ 85% 1RM
Week 2
1/16/2012 Thrusters 5 @ 85% 1RM “Fran” for best time:
21 Thrusters
21 Pull-ups
15 Thrusters
15 Pull-ups
9 Thrusters
1/17/2012 10-min HSW/HSPU/HS AMRAP 12 min: HS for novices,
HSPU for
intermediate,
HSW for
advanced
7 Pull-ups
14 Front squats 95 lbs For men, 65
lbs for women for
squats

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

21 Push-ups with release

1/18/2012 Deadlift, 3 3 5 30 High hang power clean 135 lbs For men,
and jerks 95 lbs for women
5 @ 65% 1RM
5 @ 75% 1RM
5 @ 85% 1RM
Overhead press, 3 3 5
5 @ 65% 1RM
5 @ 75% 1RM
5 @ 85% 1RM
1/19/2012 10-min Muscle up practice “Angie” in reverse, for time: 20-min Max
time limit
10-min Pistol squat practice 100 Body weight air squats

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100 Sit-ups
100 Push-ups
100 Pull-ups
1/20/2012 Back squat, 3 3 5 3 Rounds, 1-min rest between rounds:
5 @ 65% 1RM 5 Reps Sumo deadlift high pull 135 lbs For male,
95 lbs for female
5 @ 75% 1RM 5 Reps thruster 135 lbs For male,
95 lbs for female
5 @ 85% 1RM 5 Pull-ups

Week 3

1/23/2012
Weighted pull-up
5 @ 65% 1RM
5 @ 75% 1RM
5 @ 85% 1RM CT
Deadlift, 3 sets 3 3 reps
3 @ 70% 1RM
AMRAP, 20 min
10 High hang power cleans 60% of 1RM for
power cleans
3 @ 80% 1RM 10 Toe to bar
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3 @ 90% 1RM 10 Burpees
Overhead press, 3 sets 3 3 reps
3 @ 70% 1RM
3 @ 80% 1RM
3 @ 90% 1RM
1/24/2012 Advanced: muscle ups 3 Rounds for time:
4 Sets of 1RM 400-m Run
15 Pull-ups
Beginner: ring push-ups 30 Side lunges w/dowel overhead
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4 Sets of 1RM
1/25/2012 Back squat, 3 sets 3 3 reps
3 @ 70% 1RM
3 @ 80% 1RM
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3 @ 90% 1RM
Pull-ups 3 Rounds for time:
5 @ 70% 1RM 20 Back squats 135 lbs For men,
95 lbs for women
3 @ 80% 1RM 6 Flights of stairs
3 @ 90% 1RM
1/26/2012 10-min Practice snatch form 21 Reps high hang power snatch 95 lbs For men, 65
lbs for women
10-min HSW/HSPU/HS 21 Reps wall ball 10’ Distance from
wall, 20 lbs for
men, 14 lbs for
women
15 Reps high hang power snatch
15 Reps wall ball
9 Reps high hang power snatch
9 Reps wall ball
1/27/2012 Hang power clean, 3 sets 3 3 reps 30 Double unders

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3 @ 70% 1RM 21 Deadlift 185 lbs For men,

115 lbs for
women
3 @ 80% 1RM 21 Box jumps 24” For men, 20”
for women
3 @ 90% 1RM 30 Double unders
15 Deadlifts
Push press, 3 sets 15 Box jumps
5 @ 70% 1RM 30 Double unders
3 @ 80% 1RM 9 Deadlifts
3 @ 90% 1RM 9 Box jumps
Week 4
1/30/2012 3 Sets back squat Every 30 s until fatigue: 185 lbs For men,

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115 lbs for
women
5 @ 75% 1RM 1 Power clean
3 @ 85% 1RM 1 High hang power clean
1 @ 95% 1RM 1 Push jerk
Pull-ups
5 @ 75% 1RM
3 @ 85% 1RM
1 @ 95% 1RM
1/31/2012 Rest

CT For time:

50 Double unders
50 Sit-ups
40 Double unders
40 Sit-ups
30 Double unders
For novice:
substitute burpee
for double unders

30 Sit-ups
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20 Double unders
20 Sit-ups
10 Double unders
10 Sit-ups
20 Double unders
20 Sit-ups
30 Double unders
30 Sit-ups
40 Double unders
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40 Sit-ups
50 Double unders
50 Sit-ups
2/1/2012 3 Sets deadlift 5 Rounds for best time: 155 lbs For men,
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95 lbs for women

5 @ 75% 1RM 12 Deadlifts
3 @ 85% 1RM 9 High hang power clean
1 @ 95% 1RM 6 Push jerk
3 Sets overhead press
5 @ 75% 1RM
3 @ 85% 1RM
1 @ 95% 1RM
2/2/2012 Gymnastics ring work: 1 Round for time: Ring work done for
form and at the
skill level of each
individual
Toes to rings 1,000-m Run
Lever hang 50 Kettle bell swings 53-lb Kettle bell
for women, 35-lb
Kettle bell
for men

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

Lever pull-up 100 Body weight squats

Muscle up
Dip
Lever sit
Forward roll
Back lever
2/3/2012 3 Sets front squat For best time:
5 @ 75% 1RM 10 Reps front squat 135 lbs For men,
95 lbs for women
3 @ 85% 1RM 15’ Rope climb
1 @ 95% 1RM 9 Reps front squat
15’ Rope climb
3 Sets pull-up 8 Reps front squat

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5 @ 75% 1RM 15’ Rope climb
3 @ 85% 1RM 7 Reps front squat
1 @ 95% 1RM 15’ Rope climb
6 Reps front squat
15’ Rope climb
5 Reps front squat
Week 5
2/6/2012 Snatch technique practice 10 min 3 Rounds for best time:
(no load or rep requirement) 15 Reps deadlift @ 60% of 1RM

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2/7/2012 Turkish getup technique practice 10 min

(no load or rep requirement)

Pull-up technique practice 10 min

15 Knees to elbows
2 Rounds for best time:

12 Chest to bar pull up

12 Box jumps
9 Chest to bar pull-up
Assist bands used
for novice
24” Box for men,
20” box for
women

(no load or rep requirement) 9 Box jumps

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6 Chest to bar pull-ups
6 Box jumps
2/8/2012 Jerk technique practice 10 min For best time:
(no load or rep requirement) 21 Squat cleans 95 lbs For men, 65
lbs for women
21 Push-up with release
15 Squat cleans
15 Push-up with release
9 Squat cleans
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9 Push-up with release

2/9/2012 Muscle up technique practice 10 min For best time: As little assistance
as possible given
during muscle
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ups
(no load or rep requirement) 5 Muscle ups Novice men: 53-lb
kettle bells
30 Kettle bell swings Advanced men: 70-
lb kettle bells
4 Muscle ups Novice women: 35-
lb kettle bells
25 Kettle bell swings Advance women:
53-lb kettle bells
3 Muscle ups
20 Kettle bell swings
2 Muscle ups
15 Kettle bell swings
1 Muscle up
10 Kettle bell swings
2/10/2012 Overheat squat technique 10 min 3 Rounds for best time:
(no load or rep requirement) 30 Double unders

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10 Overhead squats 95 lbs For men, 65

lbs for women
10 HSPU HS/HSW for
novice and
intermediates
1 Flight of stairs
Week 6
2/13/2012 3 Sets of back squats 8 Rounds for max reps:
5 Reps @ 75% 1RM 20-s Deadlift 1RM
10-s Rest
20-s HSPU HS substituted for
novice
10-s Rest

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2/14/2012 Rest AMRAP in 20 min
3 Burpees
5 Pull-ups
2/15/2012 3 Sets power clean Rest
5 Reps @ 75% 1RM
2/16/2012 Rest Rest
2/17/2012 3 Sets overhead squat Rest
5 Reps @ 75% 1RM
Week 7
2/20/2012

2/21/2012
CT
5 Sets back squat
5 Reps @ 65% 1RM

7 Sets deadlift
2 Reps @ 60% 1RM
AMRAP in 20 min
5 Pull-ups
10 Body weight squat
20 Double unders
AMRAP in 10 min
4 HSPU
8 Deadlifts 225 lbs For men,
135 lbs for
women
RA
16 Kettle bell swings 53 lb Kettle bell for
men, 35 lb kettle
bell for women
2/22/2012 7 Sets bench press 4 Rounds for best time:
3 Reps @ 75% 1RM 30 Split jumps
10 Squat press 95 lbs For men, 65
lbs for women
20 Push-ups
2/23/2012 Power clean practice, 15 min 18-min AMRAP:
T

135 lbs For male, 95 lbs female 15 Box jumps 24” Box for men,
20” box for
women
12 Overhead presses 115 lbs For men,
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75 lbs for women

9 Toes to bar
2/24/2012 3 Sets front squats 5 Rounds for best time:
5 Reps @ 65% 1RM 20 Pull-ups
3 Reps @ 75% 1RM 30 Push-ups
1 Rep @ 85% 1RM 40 Sit-ups
50 Body weight squats
30-min Rest between rounds
Week 8
2/27/2012 3 Sets back squats For best time:
5 Reps @ 65% 1RM 15 Thrusters
3 Reps @ 75% 1RM 15 Pull-ups
1 Rep @ 85% 1RM 12 Thrusters
12 Pull-ups
9 Thrusters
9 Pull-ups
12 Thrusters

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

12 Pull-ups
15 Thrusters
15 Pull-ups
2/28/2012 Pistol and HSPU drills: AMRAP 15 min:
HSW 9 Deadlifts 155 lbs for men,
100 lbs for
women
Parallettes 12 Push-ups with release
DB presses 15 Box jumps 24” Box for men,
20” box for
women
Wall walks
Shoulder touches

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(no load or rep requirement)
2/29/2012 3 Sets, 5 reps bench press for form 5 Rounds for time:
15’ Rope climb
10 Wall ball 10’ Distance from
wall, 20 lbs for
men, 14 lbs for
women
15 Toes to bar
20 Kettle bell swings 53 lbs For men, 35

3/1/2012

3/2/2012 3 Sets front squat

5 Reps @ 65% 1RM
CT
10-min Power snatch practice 10-min AMRAP
75/45-lb Snatch, 30 reps
135/75-lb Snatch, 30 reps
165/100-lb Snatch, 30 reps
210/120-lb Snatch, as many as possible

Rest
lbs for women
Men/women

3 Reps @ 75% 1RM

RA
1 Rep @ 85% 1RM
Week 9
3/5/2012 Low bar back squat AMRAP 20 min:
5 Sets, 5 reps @ 65% 1RM 5 Pull-ups
10 Body weight squats
20 Double unders
3/6/2012 HSPU practice, 10 min AMRAP 10 min
Deadlifts 7 sets, 2 reps @ 55% 1RM 4 HSPU HS for novice
(work on form) 8 Deadlifts 225 lbs For men,
T

135 lbs women

16 Kettle bell swings 53 lbs Men, 35 lbs
women
3/7/2012 Bench press Not for time:
RE

7 Sets, 3 reps @ 65% 1RM 4 Rounds

30 Split jumps
10 Thrusters 95 lbs Men, 65 lbs
women
20 Push-ups
3/8/2012 Rest AMRAP 18 min:
15 Box jumps 24” Box for men,
20” box for
women
12 Push presses 115 lbs For men,
75 lbs women
9 Toes to bar
3/9/2012 Rest For best time:
5 Rounds, 3-min rest between rounds
20 Pull-ups
30 Push-ups
40 Sit-ups

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50 Body weight squats

Week 10
3/12/2012 Low bar back squat AMRAP 15 min:
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 50% 1RM 3 Reps hang clean 115 lbs For men,
75 lbs for women
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 65% 1RM 3 Thrusters
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 75% 1RM 3 Rope climbs
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 85% 1RM
3/13/2012 Bench press
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 50% 1RM
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 65% 1RM 4 Rounds for best time:
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 75% 1RM 5 Muscle ups Assist for novices
3 Sets, 5 reps @ 85% 1RM 30 Double unders

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10 Dips
3/14/2012 15-min Power cleans 7 Rounds for time:
Emphasis on form 10 Burpees
10 Clean high pulls 95 lbs For men, 65
lbs women
3/15/2012 Rest AMRAP 12 min:
150 Wall ball 10 ft From wall, 20
lbs male, 14 lbs
female

3/16/2012 Rest
CT 90 Double unders
30 Muscle ups
3 Rounds for time:
800-m Run
50 Romanian deadlifts

50 Sit-ups
Assist for novices

45 lbs For men, 45

lbs women

*AMRAP = as many rounds as possible; double-unders = 2 jump rope passes per jump; HS = hand stand; HSPU = hand stand
RA
push-up; HSW = hand stand walk; HIPT = high-intensity power training; KB = kettle bell; WOD = workouts of the day; RM = repetition
maximum.

composition, not only in the cohorts of the lowest initial adults. Body composition using air displacement plethysmog-
values of these markers. raphy and maximal aerobic capacity using a Bruce treadmill
graded exercise test were assessed in all the subjects in the
METHODS morning (7:30–11:30 AM) over a 5-day period preceding the
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Experimental Approach to the Problem onset of training. Measurements were obtained after an over-
This study investigated the effect of a 10-week, crossfit-based, night fast, and the subjects refrained from exercise, alcohol,
HIPT program on body composition and V_ O2max in healthy and caffeine for the previous 24 hours. A total of 43 subjects
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completed the training program

and returned for assessment of
TABLE 2. Subject characteristics.*† changes in the dependent vari-
ables of body composition and
Men (n = 23) Women (n = 20) Range V_ O2max. All returning subjects
Age (y) 33.9 6 1.6 31.2 6 1.3 21.0–48.0 were assessed at the same time
Height (in.) 70.6 6 0.6 64.8 6 0.6 60.0–77.0 of the day as the pretraining
Weight (kg) 90.71 6 2.67 68.02 6 3.00 44.54–118.18 measures over a 5-day period
BMI (kg$m22) 28.1 6 0.6 25.1 6 1.1 19.1–37.4 after the completion of the
Body fat (%) 22.2 6 1.3 26.6 6 2.0 10.7–46.1 program.
Lean mass (kg) 70.25 6 1.76 49.00 6 1.10 36.35–82.17
V_ O2max (L$min21) 3.88 6 0.13 2.39 6 0.09 1.47–5.12
V_ O2max (ml$kg21$min21) 43.10 6 1.40 35.98 6 1.60 20.00–58.00 Subjects
The participants of all levels of
_ O2max = maximal oxygen con-
*BMI = body mass index; in. = inches; kg = kilograms; V aerobic fitness and body com-
sumption.
†All data are resting values and are presented as mean 6 SEM. position were recruited from
and trained at a Crossfit affili-
ate (Fit Club, Columbus, OH,

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

USA). Out of the original 54

participants, a total of 43 (23
TABLE 3. Adaptations in male subjects after the 10-week HIPT.*†
men, 20 women) fully com-
Pretraining Posttraining p pleted the training program
and returned for follow-up test-
Weight (kg) 90.71 6 2.67 87.25 6 2.58 0.0008
ing. Of the 11 subjects who
BMI (kg$m22) 28.1 6 0.6 27.0 6 0.6 0.0006
Body fat (%) 22.2 6 1.3 18.0 6 1.3 0.000002 dropped out of the training
Lean mass (kg) 70.25 6 1.76 71.23 6 1.87 0.001 program, 2 cited time concerns
V_ O2max (L$min21) 3.88 6 0.13 4.23 6 0.13 0.001 with the remaining 9 subjects
V_ O2max (ml$kg21$min21) 43.10 6 1.40 48.96 6 1.42 0.000004 (16% of total recruited subjects)
*BMI = body mass index; V _ O2max = maximal oxygen consumption; HIPT = high-intensity citing overuse or injury for
power training. failing to complete the pro-
†All data are resting values and are presented as mean 6 SEM. gram and finish follow-up test-

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ing. The subjects had already
been following a “Paleolithic”
type of diet before and after
completion of the training pro-
tocol. All the subjects provided
TABLE 4. Adaptations in female subjects after 10-week HIPT.*† written informed consent, and
all study methods and proto-

Weight (kg)
BMI (kg$m22)
Body fat (%)
Lean mass (kg)
V_ O2max (L$min21)
V_ O2max (ml$kg21$min21)
Pretraining

68.02
25.1
26.6
49.00
2.39
35.98
6
6
6
6
6
6
CT
3.00
1.1
2.0
1.1
0.09
1.60
Posttraining

66.23
24.4
23.2
50.06
2.62
40.22
6
6
6
6
6
6
2.70
1.0
2.0
1.2
0.1
1.62
0.01
0.01
p

0.00008
0.01
0.005
0.0006
cols were approved in advance
by the Institutional Review
Board at The Ohio State
University.

Procedures
Training Program. The subjects
RA
*BMI = body mass index; V _ O2max = maximal oxygen consumption; HIPT = high-intensity participated in a crossfit-based
power training. HIPT program using basic gym-
†All data are resting values and are presented as mean 6 SEM.
nastic skills (hand stands, ring,
and bar exercises) and traditional
multiple-joint, functional, resis-
tance exercises (squat, press,
deadlift, Olympic lifts) per-
formed as quickly as possible at
T

a high intensity (low repetition,

high percentage of 1-repetition
maximum). All training was per-
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formed at a CrossFit affiliate

under the supervision of a fellow
of the American College of
Sports Medicine (ACSM) and
an ACSM certified registered
clinical exercise physiologist.
The 10-week program was var-
ied so that some exercises were
performed for a best time, and
others were performed in the
AMRAP style in varying time
domains ranging from 10 to
20 minutes. During the strength
and skill portion of the exercise
Figure 2. Maximal aerobic fitness and body composition improvements after a 10-week high-intensity power
training intervention. After training, the V_ O2max increased and body fat percentage decreased significantly. session, there was no prescribed
*p , 0.05. recovery time, whereas during
the WOD portion of the session,
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Measurements Instruments,
Concord, CA, USA), which is
shown to be an accurate
method for assessing body com-
position in adults (2). Before
measurement, the system was
calibrated for volume using
a cylinder of a known volume
(50.1461 L) and for mass using
two 10-kg weights. Fasting-state
body weight was measured to
the nearest 0.1 kg, and the sub-
jects entered the Bod Pod

ED
chamber wearing only a tight
fitting swimsuit and swim cap.
Body volume measurements
were taken in duplicate and
repeated if measures were not
Figure 3. Changes in maximal relative aerobic fitness after a 10-week high-intensity power training intervention. within 150 ml of each other
When broken into quantiles of initial aerobic fitness scaled to body weight, a significant increase of the V_ O2max (7). Body density was calculated
from baseline was observed in all groups. **p , 0.01; *p , 0.05.

CT
the subjects completed all the exercises as quickly as possible
with no prescribed rest period. Two representative weeks of the
training program are found in Figure 1. The subjects were
asked to refrain from all other structured physical activity while
participating in this study, and they complied with this request,
as mass/body volume and body
fat percentage was calculated by
using Siri’s formula (12). Body mass index was calculated as
kilograms of body mass divided by height in meters squared.

Graded Exercise Testing. All the subjects performed a maximal

treadmill exercise test before and after the training program
_ O2max. The sub-
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as verified by activity logs. A complete list of all exercises using the Bruce protocol (4) to determine V
performed over the 10 weeks is found in Table 1. jects wore nose clips and breathed into a 1-way mouthpiece,
which allowed expired gases to be collected in a mixing cham-
Body Composition. Percentage body fat was calculated using ber. The volume of expired air, oxygen consumption, and car-
the Bod Pod air-displacement plethysmography device (Life bon dioxide production were determined by gas analyzers and
a pneumotachometer attached
to a calibrated, computerized
metabolic cart (Parvomedics,
T

Sandy, UT, USA), which pro-

vides accurate and reliable re-
sults compared with the
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Douglas bag method (6). Oxy-

gen consumption values were
calculated every 15 seconds,
and the 2 highest consecutive
values were averaged to deter-
mine absolute maximal oxygen
consumption in liters
per minute. Body weight was
divided into absolute oxygen
consumption to yield a value rel-
ative to body mass and is
reported as relative V _ O2max
in units of milliliters of
O2$per kilogram of body
Figure 4. Changes in maximal body composition after a 10-week high-intensity power training intervention. When
broken into quantiles of initial body composition, a significant decrease from baseline was observed in all groups. mass$per minute. The test was
**p , 0.01; *p , 0.05. terminated and considered max-
imal when subjects reached self-

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

determined exhaustion, and was

verified by the 2 of following cri-
teria: (a) plateau in oxygen con-
sumption despite an increase
in workload, (b) respiratory
exchange ratio .1.1, and (c) rat-
ing of perceived exertion of 18–
20. Using these parameters have
previously shown to be a reliable
method of verifying V _ O2max has
been attained, and provides sta-
tistically indistinguishable meas-
urements compared with

ED
supramaximal testing (8). Meta-
bolic sensors were recalibrated
between each exercise test.

Statistical Analyses
Changes of V_ O2max and body
Figure 5. Changes in absolute maximal aerobic fitness after a 10-week high-intensity power training intervention.
When broken into quantiles of initial absolute aerobic fitness, a significant increase of the V_ O2max from baseline composition from pretraining

CT
was observed in the “Well-below avg, Below avg, and Above avg” groups. **p , 0.01; *p , 0.05.

TABLE 5. Multivariate regression analysis model for DV_ O2max (ml$kg21$min21).*

to posttraining were tested
using a 2-tailed, paired t-test.
These values were tested as
an entire group, and also in sub-
sets that were stratified by ini-
tial values of aerobic fitness and
body composition, respectively.
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These subsets were based on
Gender Variables b 6 SEM p R2 normative data for the age and
gender of each participant (3).
Male D Absolute V_ O2max (L$min21) 12.50 6 1.05 0.001 0.88 Percentile rankings correspond
D Body fat (%) 20.67 6 0.12 0.001
Female D Absolute V_ O2max (L$min21) 13.62 6 1.06 0.001 0.91 to descriptors as follows: well
D Body fat (%) 20.32 6 0.19 0.100 above average (.90), above
average (70–90), average (50–
_ O2max and body fat against changes in
*Model was built using changes of absolute V
70), below average (30–50),
relative V_ O2max in both genders.
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and well below average (10–

30). Two-tailed, paired t-tests
were then used to test the dif-
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ferences between pretraining

and posttraining values of
V_ O2max and body composi-
TABLE 6. Correlation matrix for DV_ O2max (ml$kg21$min21).* tion. A forward stepwise multi-
variate linear regression was
D AbsV_ O2max DLM DBF DWeight performed to identify signifi-
Gender Variables (L$min21) (kg) (%) (kg) cant predictors of relative
Male DV_ O2max 0.83† 0.05 20.49z 20.24 V_ O2max. The model consid-
(ml$kg21$min21) ered the following variables
Female DV_ O2max 0.94† 0.05 20.07 0.01 for inclusion: change in abso-
(ml$kg21$min21) lute V_ O2max and body fat.
*D AbsV_ O2max = change in absolute V_ O2max from pretraining to posttraining values; Additionally, a linear regres-
DV_ O2max = change in relative V_ O2maxV_ O2max from pretraining to posttraining values; BF = sion analysis was performed,
body fat percentage; LM = lean mass. and Pearson correlation coeffi-
†p , 0.001.
zp , 0.05. cients were calculated to deter-
mine the contribution of
changes in total body weight,
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 the TM

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lean mass, and absolute oxygen consumption to the These results indicate a positive role for HIPT in reducing
observed increase in relative V_ O2max. Data are reported as body fat percentage in both genders across all levels of initial
mean 6 SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using STA- fitness. However, given the body composition changes that
TA (version 11.1, College Station, TX, USA). Statistical sig- have been observed in response to a Paleolithic type diet (10),
nificance was defined a priori as the critical a-level of it is impossible to ascribe the entirety of the improvement in
p # 0.05. body composition in our subjects to HIPT training alone.
The results for oxygen consumption again reveal that
RESULTS quantiles of all initial levels of fitness were improved in
Characteristics of the subjects who volunteered for the study response to an HIPT training regimen. Oxygen consump-
are presented in Table 2. The mean and SEM of the variables tion, as expressed relative to body weight, significantly
before and after training for male subjects are presented in increased across all groups (Figure 3). Again, men and
Table 3, and female subjects in Table 4. After the training women attained similar improvements in relative V_ O2max,
program, a significant increase in the relative V_ O2max and 13.6 and 11.8%, respectively (Tables 3 and 4). As commonly

ED
decrease in percent body fat were observed. These changes understood, improvement of relative V_ O2max can result from
are presented in Figure 2. The differences in relative oxygen increased absolute oxygen consumption, decreased body
consumption and body composition were significant when bro- weight, or changes in both. Our data indicate
ken into quantiles of “well-below average,” “below average,” that improvement of absolute oxygen consumption is the
“average,” “above average,” and “well-above average,” indicating primary factor in the improvement of relative V_ O2max, with
improvement across all initial levels of fitness (Figures 3 and 4). a small contribution of the reduction of body fat percentage
Improvement in the absolute V _ O2max was found in the well- in men only. To our knowledge, this is the first report of
improvement of relative and absolute V_ O2max in response

absolute V_ O2max was a predictor of relative V

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below average, below average, and above average groups (Fig-
ure 5). A regression analysis revealed that the absolute V
and body fat percentage were significant predictors of the
change in the relative V
_ O2max

_ O2max in men (p = 0.001), but only

_ O2max in women
(Table 5). Furthermore, the improvement of maximal relative
aerobic capacity could be explained by an increase in absolute
to a crossfit-based HIPT training protocol.
Combining the quantiles to represent men and women,
Tables 3 and 4 show a significant increase of absolute
V_ O2max for both genders. These findings show that aerobic
benefits can be gained through HIPT, regardless of initial
fitness or gender. Past HIIT training has revealed similar
improvements in V_ O2max. Astorino et al. reported .6%
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oxygen consumption in men (r = 0.83, p = 0.001) and women
(r = 0.94, p = 0.001), and was further informed by the corre- increase in absolute V_ O2max and 5.5% increase in relative
lation of a decrease in body fat in men only (r = 0.49, V_ O2max, whereas Trulik et al. reported a 13.4% increase in
p = 0.05). This correlation analysis is presented in Table 6. relative V_ O2max in response to HIIT. Our finding that
improvement of V_ O2max in subjects who are stratified as
DISCUSSION well above average is at odds with previous work using an
The aim of this research was to examine the effects of a novel, HIIT protocol that finds no improvement of V_ O2max (5).
crossfit-based HIPT program on aerobic fitness and body Even HIIT studies in well-trained subjects using hyperoxia
T

composition in healthy adults. The results presented here have previously failed to find an improvement of oxygen
confirm our hypothesis that a 10-week crossfit-based HIPT consumption in the subjects of comparably high V_ O2max
program significantly improves the maximal aerobic capacity (9,11). Compared with HIIT, our results indicate a possible
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and body composition in individuals of all fitness levels and superior role for HIPT in the improvement of maximal aer-
genders. The improvement of the relative V _ O2max was strongly obic capacity in well-trained subjects. Future studies are
mediated by improvement of absolute oxygen consumption in needed in this area.
women, and by improvement of absolute oxygen consumption A unique concern with any high-intensity training pro-
and decreased body fat in men. Although the HIIT has pre- gram such as HIPT or other similar programs is the risk of
viously been shown to improve body composition (13) and overuse injury. Despite a deliberate periodization and
V_ O2max (14) in healthy adults, this is the first investigation supervision of our Crossfit-based training program by
showing that similar benefits can be obtained using a crossfit- certified fitness professionals, a notable percentage of our
based HIPT program. subjects (16%) did not complete the training program and
After the HIPT training, body fat percentage dropped by return for follow-up testing. Although peer-reviewed evi-
3.7%, across all individuals, in absolute terms. This reduction dence of injury rates pertaining to high-intensity training
corresponds to a pretraining to posttraining change of 15.5%. programs is sparse, there are emerging reports of increased
As presented in Figure 4, there were significant declines in rates of musculoskeletal and metabolic injury in these
body fat percentage for all fitness cohorts. This finding also programs (1). This may call into question the risk-benefit ratio
holds when comparing men and women. Tables 3 and 4 show for such extreme training programs, as the relatively small aer-
the results for men and women, respectively. Absolute and obic fitness and body composition improvements observed
percentage changes in body fat were similar for both genders. among individuals who are already considered to be “above

VOLUME 27 | NUMBER 11 | NOVEMBER 2013 | 3171

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 Crossfit Training Improves Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

average” and “well-above average” may not be worth the risk traditional aerobic exercise and could serve as a convenient
of injury and lost training time. Further work in this area is and practical addition to a training regimen focused on
needed to explore how to best realize improvements to health improvement of aerobic fitness or body composition in
without increasing risk above background levels associated healthy adults.
with participation in any non–high intensity based fitness
regimen.
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PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
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