Vol 13, Issue 4

Not All HIFT Classes Are Created Equal: Evaluating Energy Expenditure and Relative Intensity of a High-Intensity Functional Training Regimen

June 15, 2020 - By 

Authors

Jonathan D. Browne, University of California, Los Angeles
Robert Carter, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles
Anthony Robinson
Brigette Waldrup
Geoffrey Zhang
Erik Carrillo
Minhsang Dinh
Michael T. Arnold, University of California, Los Angeles
Jonathan Hu, University of California, Los Angeles
Eric V. Neufeld
Brett A. Dolezal, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles
International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1206-1216, 2020.
DOI: 10.70252/IUSV1063

Abstract

The demand for efficient and effective exercises has grown in concert with increased attention to fitness as a determinant of overall health. While past studies have examined the benefits traditional conditioning exercises, there have been few investigations of high intensity functional training (HIFT). The aim of this study was to measure the energy expenditure and relative intensity from participation in a signature, 35-minute group-based HIFT regimen. During the HIFT session, 13 volunteers (aged 23-59 years, 6 females) donned a portable breath-by-breath gas analyzer and a heart rate monitor. Mean caloric expenditure (528 ± 62 kcal), maximum heart rate (172 ± 8 bpm), and metabolic equivalents (12.2 ± 1.4 kcal/kg/h) were characterized as a vigorous-intensity activity according to the Compendium of Physical Activities guidelines. Moreover, implementing this high energy expenditure session twice weekly may comport with Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans weekly physical activity recommendations. HIFT training may provide time-efficient exercise for those seeking exercise-related health benefits.

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