Date of Award
8-20-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Exercise Science, MS
First Advisor
Brian Church
Committee Members
Amanda Wheeler; Jim Stillwell; Marla Graves; Thomas Adams II
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2012 J334
Abstract
CrossFit is a core strength and conditioning program created by Greg Glassman which adheres to three fitness standards: 1) there are ten general physical skills, 2) concept of a "hopper", i.e. being able to perform any skill when asked, and 3) training must occur is all three metabolic pathways, ATP-PCr, glycolytic, & aerobic systems. The purpose of this study was to first assess CrossFit effectiveness and also evaluate the third fitness standard through indirect measures. Thirty seven participants, both male and female participated in the study. Participants were divided based on questionnaire results into two groups, CrossFit and control (follow ACSM recommendations for exercise) and each participant completed the Margaria Kalamen Power Test, Anaerobic Step Test, and Cooper 1.5 mile run. Means and standard deviations, along with independent t-tests were run based on test group and sex. It was found that CrossFit male participant performed significantly better, t(30) = 2.21, p<.05, than control males on the Maragaria Kalamen Power Test, a test of the ATP-PCr system. Although all other performances for both males and females indicated a mean score superior for CrossFit over control participants, excluding the male Cooper 1.5 mile run, none were considered significant. CrossFit participants also underwent a second day of testing which included a one repetition maximum deadlift, one minute maximum row for meters, and completion of an infamous hero workout named Murph. Correlations were run based on sex to determine if there was a significant performance pattern. No significant correlations were indicated. Female participants however did rank accordingly on the one repetition maximum deadlift and Murph performances as hypothesized. This was one of the first studies ever on CrossFit and the main results indicated, although most not statistically significant, CrossFit can train an individual at or above levels compared to the general ACSM recommendation for fitness. Future studies on effectiveness and safety are encouraged.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Jeffery, Christine, "Crossfit Effectiveness on Fitness Levels and Demonstration of Successful Program Objectives" (2012). Student Theses and Dissertations. 878.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/878
