Sensitivity of operational tests to training load in Crossfit®

Abstract

Proper control of the training load and the state of fatigue-recovery of the CrossFit® practitioner may be a preventive strategy for unwanted events such as non-functional overreaching and injury. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of motor tests and total quality recovery (TQR) to the training load of microcycles in CrossFit®. Seven female CrossFit® practitioners underwent two sets of three CrossFit® training microcycles: aerobic block (AB) and strength block (SB). On the first and sixth day of the last microcycle of each block, the volunteers performed a series of operative tests. In AB they performed TQR (subjective scale 6 – 20 points), Tapping Test, and KAREN (CrossFit® benchmark); while in SB they performed TQR, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Bench Press Resistance, and Squat Resistance. The training load of the third microcycle of each block was measured from the RPE obtained 30 minutes after the end of the training session multiplied by the duration of the session. The Pearson correlation test was used for the association between the training load variables (mean and standard deviation) and performance of the operative tests. In SB, squat resistance was significantly correlated with the average training load (r=0.76; p=0.04), and there was a correlation trend between the CMJ test and the standard deviation of the training load (r=0.73; p=0.06). In AB, no operative test correlated with training load variables. In conclusion, the squat resistance test was shown to be sensitive to the average training load in a SF microcycle and can be considered a practical test for monitoring the fatigue-recovery status of CrossFit® practitioners.