Functional fitness / High intensity functional training is an emerging exercise trend that emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements performed at high intensity. This practice includes weightlifting, powerlifting and traditional resistance-training exercises, calisthenics and gymnastics and also repetitive aerobic exercises such as biking, rowing and running. In addition, an endless range of conventional and non-conventional equipment is utilized for the workouts (e.g., kettlebells, sleds, barbells and power plates, medballs, assault bikes, curved treadmills, etc.). Functional fitness / high intensity functional training has been proposed to populations with different fitness levels and is hypothesized to elicit greater muscle recruitment than aerobic exercises, thereby improving to a greater extent endurance, muscular strength and power. However, Functional fitness / High intensity functional training workouts are extremely varied on a daily bases including the type of exercises, intensity and volume (i.e., length of intervals, work-to-rest ratios, loads) and the configuration (i.e., as many repetitions as possible [AMRAP], every minute on the minute [EMOM], for time, Tabata). Such a variety of workouts along with the limited research developed in this area to date has set a gap in the scientific literature.
This special issue welcomes original research, reviews, data reports and opinions about: 1) potential responses and adaptations to any form of functional fitness / high intensity functional training workouts (i.e. biomechanics, physiology, bioenergetics, psychology, etc.), 2) performance profile of athletes competing in functional fitness / high intensity functional training disciplines (i.e. CrossFit®), 3) nutritional and recovery strategies to optimize performance and 4) potential risks and epidemiology of injuries for being involved in this exercise modality.
- Acute and chronic physiological responses and adaptations (e.g., cardiovascular, metabolic or neuromuscular) in response to functional fitness / high intensity functional training.
- Acute and chronic biomechanical responses and adaptations in response to functional fitness / high intensity functional training.
- Acute and chronic psychological responses and adaptations in response to functional fitness / high intensity functional training.
- Performance profile of athletes competing in functional fitness / high intensity functional training disciplines.
- Monitoring functional fitness / high intensity functional training performance.
- Nutritional and recovery strategies (e.g., caffeine, creatine, P-synephrine, nitrates, sodium bicarbonate or b-alanine) to optimize performance in functional fitness / high intensity functional training.
- Potential risks and epidemiology of injuries in functional fitness / high intensity functional training.
We would like to acknowledge Dr.Marcos Soriano who has acted as coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
Keywords: HIIT; CrossFit, Calisthenics, Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Tabata
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
