Improving health-related fitness in adolescents: the CrossFit Teens™ randomised controlled trial. Issue 3 (1st February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eather, Narelle; Morgan, Philip James; Lubans, David Revalds
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 34:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2016-02-01
• Subjects: physical fitness -- physical education -- body composition -- resistance training -- adolescents; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2015.1045925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of the CrossFit Teens™ resistance training programme for improving health-related fitness and resistance training skill competency in adolescents. This assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted in one secondary school in the Hunter Region, Australia, from July to September 2013. Ninety-six (96) students (age = 15.4 (.5) years, 51.5% female) were randomised into intervention ( n = 51) or control ( n = 45) conditions for 8-weeks (60 min twice per week). Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), BMI-Z score (primary outcomes), cardiorespiratory fitness (shuttle run test), muscular fitness (standing jump, push-up, handgrip, curl-up test), flexibility (sit and reach) and resistance training skill competency were measured at baseline and immediate post-intervention. Feasibility measures of recruitment, retention, adherence and satisfaction were assessed. Significant group-by-time intervention effects were found for waist circumference [−3.1 cm, P < 0.001], BMI [−1.38 kg · m ‒ 2, P < 0.001], BMI-Z [−0.5 z-scores, P < 0.001], sit and reach [+3.0 cm, P < 0.001], standing jump [+0.1 m, P = 0.021] and shuttle run [+10.3 laps, P = 0.019]. Retention rate was 82.3%. All programme sessions were delivered and participants' mean satisfaction scores ranged from 4.2 to 4.6 out of 5. The findings demonstrate that CrossFit Teens™ is a feasible and efficacious programme for improving health-related fitness in adolescents.