Study Confirms Effect of a CrossFit-Type Exercise Program

LOMA LINDA>> A Loma Linda University research team, led by Dr. Gurinder Bains, MD, PhD, has completed a study that evaluated the effect of eight weeks of CrossFit-type exercises on inflammation through high sensitivity C Reactive Protein modulation and balance parameter measurements compared with a no exercise control group. CrossFit-type exercises are a combination of resistance and aerobic training that involve constantly varied intensity and functional movements. High sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a known inflammatory biomarker. The study demonstrated that there was no significant change in hs-CRP concentrations over time within each group tested. For hs-CRP concentrations for the CrossFit group, there was a significant change (p=.04) from baseline to week 1 (23.1 percent), a borderline significant change (p=.07) from week 1 to week 9 (21.1 percent), and no significant change (p=.73) from baseline to week 9 (1.4 percent). Additionally, from baseline to week eight, vertical jump height, reaction time, and movement velocity each significantly improved (p<.05) in the CFE group by 13.2 percent, 21.2 percent, and 30.7 percent, respectively. There was no significant change in hs-CRP, vertical jump height, reaction time, and movement velocity in the no exercise control group. “The findings of this study are encouraging, and warrant further investigation,” Bains said. “Subjects were observed to have a reduced inflammatory response as assessed by hs-CRP, after completing eight weeks of a CFE program. Although exercise intensity was continually increased throughout the study, hs-CRP concentrations did not significantly change from baseline to week nine. However, the study suggested that the CrossFit group was able to gradually acclimate to the exercise program.” This modulation in inflammatory response could be suggestive of the resultant acclimation that translates for an improvement in reaction time, movement velocity and vertical height jump level in mainstream CrossFit athletes. Bains suggests CrossFit-type exercises can be an effective training program in maintaining a minimal non-significant inflammatory response as assessed by hs-CRP 48 hours post exercise. The research team led by Bains included Everett Lohman, Lee Berk, Noha Daher, Rohana Chettiar, Oluwaseun Ambode, Belinda Miranda, Ravneet Singh and Francis Nugent. A more comprehensive review of these profound study results will be presented by Bains at Neuroscience 2016, the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. The conference is dedicated to developments in research of the brain and nervous system and the application of new scientific knowledge in the field of neuroscience in order to develop improved disease treatments and cures. Neuroscience 2016 will be held at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, Nov. 12 - 16. Bains’ presentation is being held in Hall A, Monday, Nov. 14 from 1-5 p.m.