En CrossFit Las Rozas nos preocupamos por las Ciencias del Movimiento Humano y colaboramos con estudiantes universitarios para que puedan completar sus estudios desarrollando sus investigaciones en nuestro centro.
ESTUDIO 1: Full-Squat as a Determinant of Performance in CrossFit.
This study analyzed the relationship between CrossFit performance and power and strength variables measured in the full-squat exercise. Twenty male trained subjects (33±7 years) performed an incremental load full-squat test for assessment of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and the mean (Pmean) and peak (Ppeak) power. Performance in 5 different Workouts of the Day (WODs) was measured on different days, and overall CrossFit performance was determined as the sum of the scores obtained in these WODs. Athletes were then assigned to a high (HP) or low (LP) performance group based on the median score for overall performance. Correlation analysis between squat variables and performance was performed and between-group differences were assessed. Moderate to strong (r=0.47-0.69, p<0.05) positive correlations were found between squat variables and performance in the different WODs. Overall CrossFit performance was strongly and positively associated with absolute (r=0.62, p=0.01) and relative 1RM (r=0.65, p=0.07), and relative Pmean (r=0.56, p=0.02) and Ppeak (r=0.53, p=0.03). Large differences (effect sizes ranging 1.1-1.7, all p<0.05) were observed between HP and LP for absolute and relative 1RM, relative Pmean, and absolute and relative Ppeak. In summary, strength and power indexes measured in a squat test are positively associated with CrossFit performance.
Moderate to strong (r=0.47-0.69, p<0.05) positive correlations were found between squat variables and performance in the different WODs.
ESTUDIO 2: Physiological predictors of competitive performance in CrossFit ® athletes
Rafael Martínez-Gómez1*, Pedro L. Valenzuela*, Lidia B. Alejo*, Jaime Gil Cabrera1 , Almudena Montalvo-Pérez , Eduardo Talavera , Alejandro Lucia , Susana Moral-González , David Barranco-Gil.
The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables could predict performance during a CrossFit competition. Fifteen male CrossFit athletes (35 ± 9 years) participated and performed a series of tests (incremental load test for full squat and bench press, jump tests, incremental running test, and Wingate test) that were used as potential predictors of CrossFit performance. Thereafter, they performed the five Workouts of the Day (WODs) corresponding to the CrossFit Games Open 2019, and the relationship between each variable and CrossFit performance was analyzed. Overall Crossfit performance (i.e., final ranking considering all WODs) was significantly related to jump ability, mean and peak power output during the Wingate test, relative maximum strength for the full squat and the bench press, and maximum oxygen uptake and maximum speed during an incremental running test (all p<0.05, r=0.58–0.75), although the relationship of most markers varied depending on the analyzed WOD. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the combination of maximum oxygen uptake, squat jump ability, and reactive strength index accounted for 81% of the variance in overall CrossFit performance (p=0.0003). CrossFit performance seems dependent on a variety of power-, strength-, and aerobic-related markers, which reflects the complexity of this sport. Improvements in aerobic capacity may help people and athletes in CrossFit performance and well-being. Also, focus on lower body power could be the key to obtain better performance markers.
Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the combination of maximum oxygen uptake, squat jump ability, and reactive strength index accounted for 81% of the variance in overall CrossFit performance (p=0.0003).