title: Improving health-related fitness in adolescents: the CrossFit Teens™ randomised controlled trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of the CrossFit Teens™ resistance training programme for improving health-related fitness and resistance training skill competency in adolescents. This assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted in one secondary school in the Hunter Region, Australia, from July to September 2013. Ninety-six (96) students (age = 15.4 (.5) years, 51.5% female) were randomised into intervention (n = 51) or control (n = 45) conditions for 8-weeks (60 min twice per week). Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), BMI-Z score (primary outcomes), cardiorespiratory fitness (shuttle run test), muscular fitness (standing jump, push-up, handgrip, curl-up test), flexibility (sit and reach) and resistance training skill competency were measured at baseline and immediate post-intervention. Feasibility measures of recruitment, retention, adherence and satisfaction were assessed. Significant group-by-time intervention effects were found for waist circumference [-3.1 cm, P < 0.001], BMI [-1.38 kg · m(‒)(2), P < 0.001], BMI-Z [-0.5 z-scores, P < 0.001], sit and reach [+3.0 cm, P < 0.001], standing jump [+0.1 m, P = 0.021] and shuttle run [+10.3 laps, P = 0.019]. Retention rate was 82.3%. All programme sessions were delivered and participants' mean satisfaction scores ranged from 4.2 to 4.6 out of 5. The findings demonstrate that CrossFit Teens™ is a feasible and efficacious programme for improving health-related fitness in adolescents.
authors.affiliation: a The University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia.
authors.forename: Narelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eather
authors.affiliation: a The University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia.
authors.forename: Philip James
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: a The University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia.
authors.forename: David Revalds
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lubans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D055070:Resistance Training; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013334:Students; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: adolescents; body composition; physical education; physical fitness; resistance training