Physiological Profile of High Intensity Functional Training Athletes

Abstract

Introduction: High intensity functional trainings (HIFT) are among the most common and popular training modalities. The aim of the present study was to examine the physiological characteristics of a group of HIFT competitive athletes both in a laboratory and field setting. Methods: Twenty HIFT athletes, 10 men (29 ± 5.3 years) and 10 women (30 ± 3.2 years), were evaluated in the laboratory for anthropometric characteristics, VO2peak, lactate threshold, maximal anaerobic power, maximal voluntary isometric and isokinetic strength, and muscle power during a countermovement jump. Athletes were also monitored in the field by measuring VO2 and lactate during a training session. Results: HIFT competitive athletes reached high levels in VO2peak(52.9 ± 5.67 ml·kg-1·min-1in men; 52.4 ± 6.17 ml·kg-1·min-1in women), VO2at lactate threshold (79.7% of VO2peakin men; 74.5% of VO2peakin women), maximal anaerobic power (7.6 ± 1.32 W·kg-1in men; 5.0 ± 1.13 W·kg-1in women; p