"A good bang for your buck": Practitioner perspectives of prescribing and monitoring High-Intensity Multimodal Training.

Abstract

Objectives: High-Intensity Multimodal Training (HIMT) combines high-intensity aerobic, resistance and/or bodyweight training throughout a single session. It is widely used in community settings and may promote time-efficient participation in physical activity and exercise enjoyment. Despite this, there remains large heterogeneity in the literature, limiting the understanding of the best practice methods for practitioners to prescribe and monitor HIMT. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the professional experiences of HIMT practitioners to gain insight into current real-world practice.

Design & methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 HIMT practitioners. Thematic analysis principles underpinned the application of both deductive and inductive codes to the data to generate key themes using a five-phase framework.

Results: HIMT practitioners described variety in prescription and monitoring practices. Practitioners also perceived challenges in maintaining client engagement whilst adhering to scientific principles, alongside managing logistical constraints inherent to group-based training environments. Subjective intensity monitoring tools (e.g., rating of perceived exertion) were favoured due to their feasibility and practicality. HIMT was perceived as a time-efficient, engaging training mode. However, concerns were raised that HIMT may limit the magnitude of specific physical adaptations (e.g., strength, skill development).

Conclusions: HIMT practitioners adopt context-driven approaches to exercise prescription and monitoring that prioritise practicality, feasibility and client engagement. Perspectives suggest that clearer prescriptive recommendations are required to support practitioners in aligning HIMT session design with intended training outcomes. These findings highlight the need for ecologically valid research that reflects the realities of HIMT delivery and supports the translation of research to practice.