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CrossFit® and Its Influence on Health Behaviors, Functional Capacity, and Psychosocial Outcomes: An Explorative Study
Alessandra Amato1, Luca Petrigna1, Leonardo Di Gregorio1
1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia n°97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
Objectives: This explorative study aimed to evaluate athletes' perceptions of how CrossFit® affects physical, psychological, and social well-being, exploring gender differences. CrossFit® is a high-intensity functional training modality aimed at enhancing overall fitness and health. Limited research has explored its perceived impact on broader aspects of well-being, particularly considering gender differences. Methods: A total of 202 participants (age 34.3 ± 10.0 years) with at least 6 months of CrossFit® experience completed an online self-reported questionnaire not previously published but created following published guidelines. The questions explore athletes' perceptions of their improvements in physical fitness, injury occurrence, and the effects on mental well-being. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric tests to investigate gender differences. Results: In total, 81.2% of participants perceived improvements in strength, while 83.2% reported enhanced aerobic capacity. Significant body composition improvements were noted by 68.3% of the sample, and 87.6% reported changes in eating habits. Injury incidence was lower among women (30.2%) than men (45.3%) (p = 0.02). Regarding psychological outcomes, 95% of respondents indicated a reduction in stress levels, 73.3% reported better sleep quality, and over 90% perceived improvements in self-esteem and daily energy. Furthermore, 98.5% of participants formed new social connections through CrossFit®, with 79.2% acknowledging a positive impact on social relationships. No significant gender differences were found across most psychological and social outcomes. Conclusions: CrossFit® is perceived positively by participants, with similar views across genders, except for injury rates. It enhances physical fitness, mental health, and social well-being, with high training adherence and relatively low injury risk.
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