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The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training in Tactical Populations

The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training Versus Traditional Strength Training or Concurrent Training on Performance and Readiness in Tactical Populations

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06582251
Acronym
HIFT
Enrollment
44
Registered
2024-09-03
Start date
2024-08-26
Completion date
2026-01-01
Last updated
2026-02-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

high-intensity functional training, tactical, military

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance metrics, body composition, and mental and physical readiness of tactical personnel.

Detailed description

This study assesses the impact of 8-weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on various performance outcomes. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Evaluate the distinct effects of HIFT, RT, and RT plus HIIT over eight weeks on physical performance and body composition measures in tactical men and women. * Determine the distress, training load, and physical readiness associated with each of the three distinct training interventions over eight weeks. Participants will: * Take part in 10-weeks total of study-related activity. * Complete four total sessions of pre and post-testing sessions, which include body composition, maximal oxygen uptake testing (VO2max), upper and lower body maximal strength, and lower body power. * Be randomly assigned to an exercise training intervention.

Interventions

Participants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of high-intensity functional training.

Participants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of traditional strength and hypertrophy training.

Participants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of traditional strength and hypertrophy training followed by high-intensity interval aerobic training.

Sponsors

University of South Carolina
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Strength and Conditioning Association
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Males and females between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive) and enrolled in a reserve officer training corps program. * Subject has provided written and dated informed consent to participate in the study. * Subject is in good health as determined by medical history and is cleared for exercise. * BMI between 17.0 and 29.9 kg/m2. * "Good" category or greater for their aerobic capacity according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) normative data for their age and sex as measured at their baseline visit.

Exclusion criteria

* Participants with any musculoskeletal injuries that would prevent completion of these exercise programs. * Participants with any metabolic disorder, including known electrolyte abnormalities, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled thyroid disease, adrenal disease, or hypogonadism. * Participants with a history of hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurologic disease. * Participants who have lost or gained greater than eight pounds within three months prior to study enrollment. * Participants currently taking hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, or anti-coagulant medications. * Participants who are pregnant or lactating.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes in body composition body fat percentage.Baseline and Week 10Body fat percentage via air-displacement
Changes in body composition fat-free mass.Baseline and Week 10Fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography.
Changes in body composition dry fat-free mass.Baseline and Week 10Dry fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography and bio-electrical impedance.
Changes in upper body strength.Baseline and week 10Upper body strength assessed by 1 repetition maximum bench press.
Changes in lower body strength.Baseline and week 10Lower body strength assessed by isometric mid-thigh pulls on bilateral force plates.
Changes in maximal oxygen consumption.Baseline and week 10Changes in VO2max measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Changes in ventilatory threshold.Baseline and week 10Changes in ventilatory threshold measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Changes in velocity at VO2 max.Baseline and week 10Assessed by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Internal training load between groups.Every training session over the 8-week intervention period will be included in this calculation.Assessed by heart rate chest strap using Edwards training impulse calculation.
Changes in training distressBaseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.Overall training distress and subscales including depressed moods, vigor, physical signs and symptoms, sleep disturbances, perceived stress, and general fatigue using the multicomponent training distress scale, scaled 0 - 110 with higher scores indicating more distress.
Changes in anaerobic power.Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.Measured by countermovement jump through bilateral force plates.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 12, 2026