Differences in Physical Fitness between Recreational CrossFit® and Resistance Trained Individuals

DE SOUSA, ARILSON F. M.; DOS SANTOS, G.B.; DOS REIS, T.; VALERINO, A.J.; DEL ROSSO, S.; BOULLOSA, D.A.

JOURNAL OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY - ONLINE

American Society of Exercise Physiologists

Año: 2016 vol. 19 p. 112 - 122

1097-9751

The aim of this study was to compare physical capacities between recreational Crossfit® and resistance trained practitioners. Twenty-six young men participated in this study. They were divided into recreational Crossfit® practitioners of resistance training (CF, N = 13) and resistance trained (RT, N = 13) practitioners. Body mass, height, and percent of body fat were recorded. After familiarization with procedures, components of physical fitness were randomly evaluated on separate days with the following exercises: (a) fixed bar pull-ups for relative strength of upper limbs; (b) shuttle run test over 20 m for endurance assessment; and (c) countermovement jump (CMJ) of lower limbs explosiveness. There were no differences between groups for body composition and performance in pull-ups and CMJ. However, effect size (ES) analyses revealed a greater CMJ performance in CF practitioners (P=0.86, ES=0.73) while the RT subjects exhibited a greater relative strength of the upper limbs (P=0.31, ES=0.67). Meanwhile, the CF group exhibited a better performance in the shuttle run test (P=0.008, ES=1.16). It could be concluded that the CF practitioners exhibit a greater endurance and jump capacities, while the RT practitioners exhibited a greater relative strength in the upper limbs. Further longitudinal studies are warranted for a better understanding of physical training adaptations following these fitness modalities.