CrossFit training improves blood lipid profile in overweight men: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: CrossFit is recognized as one of the fastest growing modes of high-intensity functional training. Exercise training is a useful strategy for controlling blood lipid profile. The effect of CrossFit training on blood lipid profile is not well known. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks CrossFit training on blood lipid parameters in overweight men. Material & Methods: Twenty sedentary overweight men (BMI: 28.4 ± 1.4 kg.m-2) participated in this study as the subject. The participants were divided into control (n=10) or CrossFit (n=10) group based on their maximum oxygen uptake randomly. The participants in CrossFit group were performed selected CrossFit training 5 days a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and 48h after the intervention. Results: Date indicated that plasma glucose (96.2±7.1 to 78.5±4.3), total cholesterol (TC) (162.6±11.0 to 139.2±6.3), triglycerides (TG) (98.2±33.4 to 58.4±13.4) and LDL (95.2±5.4 to 69.7±.7) were decreased and plasma HDL was increased (40.7±3.4 to 62.8±3.3) after CrossFit training in compare to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusions: Data suggested that CrossFit training is a novel and useful strategy for controlling blood lipid levels and blood glycemia.