A Systematic Review of CrossFit (R) Workouts and Dietary and Supplementation Interventions to Guide Nutritional Strategies and Future Research in CrossFit (R)

Author(s)

Silva de Souza, Ricardo Augusto ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; da Silva, Andre Guedes ^[3] ; de Souza, Magda Ferreira ^[3] ; Ferreira Souza, Liliana Kataryne ^[1] ; Roschel, Hamilton ^[3] ; da Silva, Sandro Fernandes ^[2] ; Saunders, Bryan ^{[4, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Lavras, Nutr Dept, Lavras - Brazil

^[2] Univ Lavras, Grad Program Nutr & Hlth, Lavras - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Rheumatol Div, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Inst Orthopaed & Traumatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT NUTRITION AND EXERCISE METABOLISM; v. 31, n. 2, p. 187-205, MAR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

CrossFit (R) is a high-intensity functional training method consisting of daily workouts called ``workouts of the day.{''} No nutritional recommendations exist for Crosspit (R) that are supported by scientific evidence regarding the energetic demands of this type of activity or dietary and supplement interventions. This systematic review performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines aimed to identify studies that determined (a) the physiological and metabolic demands of CrossFit (R) and (b) the effects of nutritional strategies on CrossFit (R) performance to guide nutritional recommendations for optimal recovery, adaptations, and performance for Crosspit (R) athletes and direct future research in this emerging area. Three databases were searched for studies that investigated physiological responses to CrossFit (R) and dietary or supplementation interventions on CrossFit (R) performance. Various physiological measures revealed the intense nature of all CrossFit (R) workouts of the day, reflected in substantial muscle fatigue and damage. Dietary and supplementation studies provided an unclear insight into effective strategies to improve performance and enhance adaptations and recovery due to methodological shortcomings across studies. This systematic review showed that CrossFit (R) is a high-intensity sport with fairly homogenous anaerobic and aerobic characteristics, resulting in substantial metabolic stress, leading to metabolite accumulation (e.g., lactate and hydrogen ions) and increased markers of muscle damage and muscle fatigue. Limited interventional data exist on dietary and supplementation strategies to optimize CrossFit (R) performance, and most are moderate to very low quality with some critical methodological limitations, precluding solid conclusions on their efficacy. High-quality work is needed to confirm the ideal dietary and supplemental strategies for optimal performance and recovery for CrossFit (R) athletes and is an exciting avenue for further research. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/50438-0 - Nutritional suplementation and exercise to optimize exercise performance: focus on individual responses and a step towards personalized sports nutrition
• Grantee: Bryan Saunders
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/22249-7 - Effects of beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation on CrossFit performance
• Grantee: André Guedes da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master