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Relative Intensity of Two Types of Crossfit Exercise: Acute Circuit and High-Intensity Interval Exercise
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Relative Intensity of Two Types of Crossfit Exercise: Acute Circuit and High-Intensity Interval Exercise

Scotty K Butcher, Tyler B Judd, Chad R Benko, Karla J Horvey and Alissa D Pshyk
Journal of Fitness Research, Vol.4(2), pp.3-15
2015
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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science CrossFit HIIT circuit training resistance training sprint intervals cardiovascular responses
Introduction: CrossFit® training sessions are often performed using either high-intensity continuous (circuit) or interval training (HIIT) methods and have been shown to elicit large increases in cardiovascular fitness. The acute responses of these different types of workouts, however, have not been reported. The purpose of this preliminary study was to a) describe and compare the heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion (RPE) responses to two different CrossFit-based multimodal exercise sessions: circuit (MMCIR) and high-intensity interval (MMHIIT) sessions; and b) examine the differences in responses by novice compared to experienced participants. Methods: HR and RPE data from fifty-seven participants (38 female) who completed both sessions of MMHIIT and MMCIR on separate days were recorded. MMHIIT was 6 sets of 60 second all out intervals interspersed with 3 minutes of rest. Each interval consisted of 8 heavy bench presses (~70% of 1RM), 10 pull-ups, and repetitive box jumps for the remainder of the 60 seconds. MMCIR was a continuous session where participants completed as many circuits as possible in 21 minutes, where each circuit consisted of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 body weight squats. Results: For the whole study population, mean HR responses during MMHIIT (76 ± 7%predmax) were significantly lower than that during MMCIR (88 ± 6%predmax), despite similar RPE scores (17 ± 2 vs 18 ± 1 / 20, respectively). Experienced participants (n = 22) had a higher overall HR than the novice group (n=35) during both MMCIR and MMHIIT sessions with greater indices of work performance, but no differences in RPE. Conclusions: The relative intensity of each CrossFit session was considered to be at the high end of the guidelines for exercise prescription for health and fitness and may be effective for inducing increased cardiovascular fitness. The results of this study provide much needed information related to the physiological responses to relatively new high-intensity multimodal training methods such as CrossFit.

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