Research Study Abstract

Energy Expenditure and Intensity of Group-Based High-Intensity Functional Training: A Brief Report

  • Published on May, 2019

Background
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) may offer an attractive, time-efficient alternative to traditional aerobic exercise. However, limited information is available in the literature regarding HIFT meeting exercise guidelines for energy expenditure (improve health outcomes: ≥1000 kcal/wk; weight management: ≥2000 kcal/wk) and level of intensity (moderate: 3–6 metabolic equivalents [METs], vigorous: ≥6 METs) elicited by this approach. Thus, the primary aim was to objectively measure energy expenditure and intensity of HIFT sessions.

Methods
Energy expenditure was assessed in 20 adults (18–50 y, 50% females). The HIFT session format included the following segments: warm-up (∼5 min), exercise (∼35 min), and cooldown (∼5 min). Participant oxygen consumption (COSMED, L/min and mL/kg/min), heart rate (Polar RS400), and physical activity (ActiGraph GT3X+) were collected in 15-second intervals. Average kcal per minute, METs, total kcal per session, and percent maximum heart rate (HRmax) were calculated.

Results
METs ranged from 5.5 to 11.6 for the complete session (including warm-up and cooldown). Participant’s HRmax was ∼80% (range: 69%–100%). Average energy expenditure was ∼485 kcal per session (∼1400 kcal/wk). The vigorous-intensity exercise portion (∼35 min) contributed to 80% of total energy expenditure.

Conclusions
HIFT has the potential to meet the recommendations for exercise to improve health outcomes.

Author(s)

  • Erik A. Willis 1,2,3
  • Amanda N. Szabo-Reed 2
  • Lauren T. Ptomey 2
  • Jeffery J. Honas 2
  • Felicia L. Steger 2
  • Richard A. Washburn 2
  • Joseph E. Donnelly 2

Institution(s)

  • 1

    Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.
  • 2

    Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.
  • 3

    Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Journal

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Categories

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