The effect of four-weeks of CrossFit workouts on cardiovascular indicators and physical readiness in military forces

Abstract

It seems that CrossFit workouts due to its effect on strength, endurance, and cardiovascular conditioning is suitableto be used in military training. A military exercise or war game is the employment of military resources in training for military operations, either exploring the effects of warfare or testing strategies without actual combat. This study aimed to investigate the effect of simulated CrossFit exercise of the military operation on cardiovascular indicators and the physical readiness of military forces. This research is in the manner of experimental studies through a pre- and posttest design. Twenty-four male military forces (age: 21.07 ± 1.6; weight: 74.6 ± 12.1 kg; height: 175.1 ± 6.28; and body mass index (BMI): 23 ± 3.3 kg/m2) were randomly divided into two groups of CrossFit and control. The CrossFit group had three training sessions per week for four weeks. The exercise of the CrossFit group included metabolic conditioning, weight-lifting, and gymnastics, while the control group also did their usual physical activity. The results show that in the CrossFit group the means of BMI, fat mass, heart rate, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure have significantly decreased () compare to pre-test, while, the amount of VO2max, maximal power to weight, average power to weight, and the army physical fitness test (APFT) score improved significantly in CrossFit group compared to the pre-test (). Compared to the control group at post-test, crossFit significantly increase fat present, BMI, VO2max, maximal power/body weight, and power/body weight () and significantly decreased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate (). Our results suggested that performing four weeks of the simulated CrossFit exercises of the military operation causes improving the cardiovascular indexes, and physical readiness of military personnel.