Crossfit in Special Population (CrossfitUJA)

University of Jaén

Status: Completed

Conditions: Aging; Postural Balance; Strength Training Adaptations

Treatments: Behavioral: Adapted CrossFit Program (12 weeks)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07199114

CrossfitUJA

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized, parallel-group clinical trial evaluates a 12-week adapted CrossFit program versus usual activity in community-dwelling older adults. The primary endpoint is change in Timed Up and Go (TUG) from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include Functional Reach (FRT), Romberg (eyes closed), gait velocity, stride length, and lower-limb power tests (Chair-Stand, Stair Ascent, Stair Descent; time and W/kg). Sixty participants were randomized (1:1). Analyses used repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustments and Cohen's d effect sizes.

Full description

Participants were screened and randomized (1:1) to an adapted CrossFit program (12 weeks) or to maintain usual activities (no structured training). Baseline characterization included demographics, anthropometrics, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE ≥ 26), physical activity level, and handgrip strength. Balance outcomes: Romberg (s, eyes closed), gait velocity (m/s), stride length (cm), TUG (s), and FRT (cm). Lower-limb power: Chair-Stand (s; W/kg), Stair Ascent/Descent (s; W/kg). Statistical analysis: normality (Shapiro-Wilk), homogeneity (Levene), repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc, and Cohen's d effect sizes. A priori sample size (G*Power 3.1): effect size 0.25, α = 0.05, power 0.80 → target n = 60 to account for attrition.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Community-dwelling older adults able to walk independently without assistance.

Cognitive function preserved, defined as a score of 26 points or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination.

Absence of severe health conditions that would interfere with participation in exercise training.

Exclusion criteria

Presence of active neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders that prevent safe exercise participation.

Severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease that contraindicates moderate-intensity exercise.

Any other medical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, would make participation unsafe or unreliable.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Adapted CrossFit Program

Experimental group

Description:

Supervised, scaled functional multi-joint training tailored to older adults, combining strength and metabolic conditioning with progressive overload over 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Adapted CrossFit Program (12 weeks)

Usual Activity (Control)

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants maintain habitual daily activities with no structured training.