Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes
Background: CrossFit<sup>®</sup> aims to be equitable between both males and female athletes, supporting equal representation and equal prize money at international events. However, to date, limited information is known on CrossFit<sup>®</sup> athletes’ performance in the cou...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | James R. Jowsey G. Gregory Haff Paul Comfort Nicholas Joel Ripley |
| author_facet | James R. Jowsey G. Gregory Haff Paul Comfort Nicholas Joel Ripley |
| author_sort | James R. Jowsey |
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| description | Background: CrossFit<sup>®</sup> aims to be equitable between both males and female athletes, supporting equal representation and equal prize money at international events. However, to date, limited information is known on CrossFit<sup>®</sup> athletes’ performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMR-J), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) when assessed using force plates, and if there are any differences between sexes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to observe whether any sex-based differences and relationships exist between performance within these assessments. Methods: A total of CrossFit athletes (43 male = 32.8 ± 9.0 years; height 1.78 ± 0.06 m; mass = 92.4 ± 10.6 kg; and 31 female = 31.0 ± 7.6 years, height = 1.64 ± 0.05 m; mass = 68.8 ± 6.0 kg) completed three trials of CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP using portable dual-system force-plate sampling at 1000 Hz. Results: Moderate–large relationships were observed between CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP outcome measures (<i>r</i> = 0.396–0.809, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Males demonstrated small to moderately greater performance outcomes than females for CMJ height (males = 0.35 ± 0.08 m; females 0.30 ± 0.06 m, <i>d</i> = 0.73), CMR-J height (males = 0.32 ± 0.08 m; females = 0.30 ± 0.06 m, <i>d</i> = 0.39) and IMTP peak net force (males = 30.62 ± 10.01 N·kg<sup>−1</sup>; females = 27.49 ± 6.44 N·kg<sup>−1</sup>, <i>d</i> = 0.29). Conclusions: Maximal relative strength in CrossFit<sup>®</sup> athletes should be seen as imperative in both male and female athletes due to the meaningful relationship in ballistic and plyometric ability. Moreover, previous relationships with CrossFit<sup>®</sup> performance and the injury risk reduction benefits of improving strength provide further support. The descriptive data presented could be used by CrossFit<sup>®</sup> coaches to assess and compare the current performance of their own athletes in a battery of tests examining CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP, while also facilitating decisions upon prescription within training and competition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b1cad6b79da4a73b9dfed0d4addf6b0 |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biomechanics |
| spelling | doaj-art-0b1cad6b79da4a73b9dfed0d4addf6b02025-06-25T13:30:55ZengMDPI AGBiomechanics2673-70782025-06-01523510.3390/biomechanics5020035Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> AthletesJames R. Jowsey0G. Gregory Haff1Paul Comfort2Nicholas Joel Ripley3School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, UKSchool of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, UKSchool of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, UKSchool of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, UKBackground: CrossFit<sup>®</sup> aims to be equitable between both males and female athletes, supporting equal representation and equal prize money at international events. However, to date, limited information is known on CrossFit<sup>®</sup> athletes’ performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMR-J), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) when assessed using force plates, and if there are any differences between sexes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to observe whether any sex-based differences and relationships exist between performance within these assessments. Methods: A total of CrossFit athletes (43 male = 32.8 ± 9.0 years; height 1.78 ± 0.06 m; mass = 92.4 ± 10.6 kg; and 31 female = 31.0 ± 7.6 years, height = 1.64 ± 0.05 m; mass = 68.8 ± 6.0 kg) completed three trials of CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP using portable dual-system force-plate sampling at 1000 Hz. Results: Moderate–large relationships were observed between CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP outcome measures (<i>r</i> = 0.396–0.809, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Males demonstrated small to moderately greater performance outcomes than females for CMJ height (males = 0.35 ± 0.08 m; females 0.30 ± 0.06 m, <i>d</i> = 0.73), CMR-J height (males = 0.32 ± 0.08 m; females = 0.30 ± 0.06 m, <i>d</i> = 0.39) and IMTP peak net force (males = 30.62 ± 10.01 N·kg<sup>−1</sup>; females = 27.49 ± 6.44 N·kg<sup>−1</sup>, <i>d</i> = 0.29). Conclusions: Maximal relative strength in CrossFit<sup>®</sup> athletes should be seen as imperative in both male and female athletes due to the meaningful relationship in ballistic and plyometric ability. Moreover, previous relationships with CrossFit<sup>®</sup> performance and the injury risk reduction benefits of improving strength provide further support. The descriptive data presented could be used by CrossFit<sup>®</sup> coaches to assess and compare the current performance of their own athletes in a battery of tests examining CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP, while also facilitating decisions upon prescription within training and competition.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7078/5/2/35athletelower bodymaximal forcerapid forcepower |
| spellingShingle | James R. Jowsey G. Gregory Haff Paul Comfort Nicholas Joel Ripley Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes Biomechanics athlete lower body maximal force rapid force power |
| title | Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes |
| title_full | Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes |
| title_fullStr | Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes |
| title_short | Performance in Multi-Joint Force-Plate Assessments in Male and Female CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes |
| title_sort | performance in multi joint force plate assessments in male and female crossfit sup r sup athletes |
| topic | athlete lower body maximal force rapid force power |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7078/5/2/35 |
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