Study Confirms Effect of a CrossFitType Exercise Program

By: Susan Onuma

Community Writer

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Susan Onuma

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Dr. Gurinder Bains, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor with Loma Linda University, School of Allied Health Professions.

LOMA LINDA>> A Loma Linda University research team, led by Dr. Gurinder Bains, MD, PhD, has completed a study that evaluated the effect of eight weeks of CrossFit-type exercises on inflammation through high sensitivity C Reactive Protein modulation and balance parameter measurements compared with a no exercise control group. CrossFit-type exercises are a combination of resistance and aerobic training that involve constantly varied intensity and functional movements. High sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a known inflammatory biomarker. The study demonstrated that there was no significant change in hs-CRP concentrations over time within each group tested. For hs-CRP concentrations for the CrossFit group, there was a significant change (p=.04) from baseline to week 1 (23.1 percent), a borderline significant change (p=.07) from week 1 to week 9 (21.1 percent), and no significant change (p=.73) from baseline to week 9 (1.4 percent). Additionally, from baseline to week eight, vertical jump height, reaction time, and movement velocity each significantly improved (p