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CrossFit Exercise to Improve Glucose Control for Overweight and Obese Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Hyperglycemia
Interventions
Other: Aerobic and Resistance Training
Other: High-Intensity Functional Training
Registration Number
NCT02185872
Lead Sponsor
Kansas State University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in glucose control, fitness, and body composition between a standard aerobic and resistance exercise training program and a shorter-duration, high-intensity CrossFit training program in overweight and obese physically inactive adults.

Hypotheses:

1. Both groups would improve glucose control, with the CrossFit group improving significantly more than the aerobic and resistance training group.

2. Both groups would improve fitness, with the CrossFit group improving significantly more than the aerobic and resistance training group.

3. Both groups would demonstrate decreases in body fat percentage and fat mass and increases in lean body mass, with the CrossFit group improving significantly more than the aerobic and resistance training group.

Detailed Description

Overweight or obese participants will take part in an 8-week exercise intervention after clearance from a doctor, that is expected to improve glucose control, fitness (Eurofit and peak aerobic capacity), and body composition (body fat percentage, fat mass, and lean body mass). After stratification by age and body mass index, participants will be randomized to either a standard aerobic and resistance training exercise program or a relatively higher intensity, shorter duration CrossFit exercise program.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
23
Inclusion Criteria
  • body mass index (BMI) of 25 - < 40, physically inactive (i.e., not participating in any structured exercise programs for the past 2 months and not exceeding 30 total minutes of physical activity per week)
Exclusion Criteria
  • current smoker, pregnant, taking blood glucose altering medications, heart disease, type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol 200 mg/dL or higher

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Aerobic and Resistance TrainingAerobic and Resistance TrainingParticipants completed 24 exercise sessions based on current guidelines. Aerobic exercise (50 min) was performed on machines every session and resistance training (20 min) was performed on machines two sessions per week. Aerobic intensity was prescribed at 40-50% of heart rate reserve (HRR) Weeks 1-4 and 50-60% HRR Weeks 5-8. Resistance training was supervised by an ACE certified personal trainer. One-repetition maximums (1-RM) were assessed Week 1 (i.e., seated bicep curl, military press, seated lat pulldown, seated leg extension, triceps pulldown, bench press, reverse leg curl, seated leg press). For Weeks 2-3 participants completed, 3 sets of 15 reps at 50% 1-RM; Weeks 4-5, 3 sets of 12 reps at 60% 1-RM; Weeks 6-7, 3 sets of 10 reps at 70% 1-RM; Week 8, 3 sets of 8 reps at 75% 1-RM. Three sets of 15 unweighted crunches were completed each day. One minute of rest was taken between each set and each exercise.
High-intensity functional trainingHigh-Intensity Functional TrainingParticipants completed a total of 24 sessions that were pre-programmed and led by a certified instructor (CrossFit Level 2), which lasted up to 60 minutes in duration. The first two class periods were structured as an introduction to common movements used in high-intensity functional training (HIFT; e.g., squats, deadlift, press, jerks, barbell, dumbbell, and medicine ball cleans, pullups, kettlebell swings, among others). No scheduled workouts were given on days 1 and 2. Beginning on day 3 each HIFT class consisted of 10-15 minutes of stretching and warmup, 10-20 minutes of instruction and practicing techniques and movements, and 5-30 minutes for the workout of the day, performed at vigorous intensity, relative to each person's ability and fitness level. All weights and movements were individually prescribed and recorded for each participant.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in glucose control.Baseline, Week 10

Fasting plasma glucose levels were taken after an overnight fast of at least 8 hours. An oral glucose tolerance test was conducted after ingestion of a 75g oral dextrose solution with finger sticks at 30, 45, and 60 minutes from time 0. The following equation was used to calculate glucose area under the curve which was the metric utilized to ascertain changes in glucose control: \[(Time 45 - Time 30) \* ½ (OGTT 30 + OGTT 45)\] + \[(Time 60 - Time 45) \* ½ (OGTT 60 + OGTT 45)\]

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in sit and reachBaseline, Week 10

Eurofit protocol for sit and reach distance using flex tester box

Change from baseline in vertical jumpBaseline, Week 10

Eurofit protocol

Change from baseline in stork balance testBaseline, Week 10
Change from baseline in peak aerobic capacityBaseline, Week 10

Modified Balke protocol

Change from baseline in pushupsBaseline, Week 10

Eurofit protocol; completed on feet or knees

Change from baseline in standing broad jumpBaseline, Week 10

Eurofit protocol

Change from baseline in 40 meter dashBaseline, Week 10

A handheld stopwatch was used to record time from the command "Go" until the participant crossed the line at 40 meters

Change from baseline in body compositionBaseline, Week 12

Dual X-ray absorptiometry scan was used to assess body fat percentage, lean body mass, and fat mass.

Change from baseline in situpsBaseline, Week 10

Eurofit protocol

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kansas State University

🇺🇸

Manhattan, Kansas, United States

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