The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training in Tactical Populations

NCT06582251 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Pro00137947
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

high-intensity functional training; tactical; military

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Changes in body composition body fat percentage.

  Body fat percentage via air-displacement

  Baseline and Week 10

• Changes in body composition fat-free mass.

  Fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography.

  Baseline and Week 10

• Changes in body composition dry fat-free mass.

  Dry fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography and bio-electrical impedance.

  Baseline and Week 10

• Changes in upper body strength.

  Upper body strength assessed by 1 repetition maximum bench press.

  Baseline and week 10

• Changes in lower body strength.

  Lower body strength assessed by isometric mid-thigh pulls on bilateral force plates.

  Baseline and week 10

• Changes in maximal oxygen consumption.

  Changes in VO2max measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.

  Baseline and week 10

• Changes in ventilatory threshold.

  Changes in ventilatory threshold measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.

  Baseline and week 10

• Changes in velocity at VO2 max.

  Assessed by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.

  Baseline and week 10

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Internal training load between groups.

  Every training session over the 8-week intervention period will be included in this calculation.

• Changes in training distress

  Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.

• Changes in anaerobic power.

  Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.

Study Arms (3)

High Intensity Functional Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Training will include power and strength movements, then 30 minutes of metabolic conditioning training comprised of whole-body multi-joint movements.

Behavioral: High-intensity functional training

Traditional Resistance Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will perform traditional resistance training.

Behavioral: Traditional resistance training

Concurrent Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will perform traditional resistance training followed by 20 minutes of running, high intensity intervals.

Behavioral: Concurrent training

Interventions

High-intensity functional training BEHAVIORAL

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

High Intensity Functional Training

Traditional resistance training BEHAVIORAL

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

Traditional Resistance Training

Concurrent training BEHAVIORAL

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

Concurrent Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of South Carolina: lead
• National Strength and Conditioning Association: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of South Carolina Sport Science Lab

Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, United States

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor and Chair of Exercise Science Department

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 27, 2024
• First Posted: September 3, 2024
• Study Start: August 26, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: January 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

US (1)