High intensity functional training is more effective than high intensity interval training in physical fitness and performance of tactical athletes

Poster Presentation
Paper ID : 1193-SSRC
Authors
1استادیار، گروه فیزیولوژی فعالیت ورزشی، دانشکده علوم ورزشی و تندرستی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران
2استادیار، گروه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی، دانشگاه افسری امام علی(,ع)، تهران، ایران
Abstract
Introduction: High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is an exercise modality that emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements that can be modified to any fitness level and elicit greater muscle recruitment than more traditional exercise. Therefore, this research aims to compare eight weeks of HIFT with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on some factors of physical fitness, time to exhaustion, and lactate levels in officer students.
Methods: In this semi-experimental research, 30 officer students with an average age of 20.04 ± 0.84 were randomly divided into two groups of HIIT(n=15) and HIFT(n=15). All the tests were done before and after the implementation of exercise protocols. Both HIIT (running-based) and HIFT (bodyweight-based functional movements) protocols were performed for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, at the intensity of 85-90% of the maximum heart rate. Basic evaluations included aerobic capacity (1/5 mile run test), body composition evaluation (caliper), time to exhaustion (Asterand treadmills test), muscle strength (dynamometer) and anaerobic capacity (repeated anaerobic sprint test), and Army combat physical fitness test (ACFT), Push-up (2min), Sit-up (2min) and vertical jump. Blood lactate was measured with a lactometer before and after time to exhaustion test.
Results: The findings of this research showed that HIFT, HIIT improved aerobic fitness (15.69% and 9.61%), anaerobic capacity (13.60% and 4.79%), back and leg muscle strength (16.02% and 5.20%), hand muscle strength (11.89% and 1.67%), vertical jump (25.31% and 14.00%), push-up (19.61% and 9.39%), sit-up (18.24% and 9.83%), time to exhaustion (26.58% and 12.99%) increased the overall score of the Army combat physical fitness test (17.45% and 6.03%), fat percentage (18.38% and 12.18%) and lactate levels (22.89% and 14.77%). Also, HIFT was more effective than HIIT in increases aerobic fitness, anaerobic capacity, back and leg muscle strength, hand muscle strength, abdominal and shoulder girdle endurance, time to exhaustion, the overall score of the ACFT test, and reduces fat percentage.
Conclusion: Given that the designed HIFT protocol can simultaneously improve several factors of physical fitness, it is more suitable for tactical athletes (military, firefighters, etc.) who need high physical fitness to perform their duties.
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