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Accurate baseline data are essential for researchers to determine an intervention's effects yet may be affected by anticipatory anxiety and assessment familiarity. Familiarization sessions help establish accurate baseline data. High-intensity functional training (HIFT) elicits performance outcomes based on constantly varied workouts. It is unclear how familiarization affects anticipatory anxiety and workout performance among HIFT novices. Familiarization was hypothesized to decrease anxiety and improve workout performance. Sixteen college-aged subjects (62.5% women, 20.2 ± 1.14 years) completed one introductory and four sessions of the same workout. All subjects were recreationally trained with no HIFT experience. State and trait anxiety were assessed at the first session. During the workout sessions, state anxiety (SQALS) was assessed upon arrival at the gym (SQALS 1), after learning the workout protocol (SQALS 2), and when the workout concluded (SQALS 3). A significant main effect of the number of previous sessions on workout performance was observed (p = 0.011). A repeated-measures ANOVA showed a main effect of time on SQALS 1 (p < 0.001), SQALS 2 (p < 0.001), and SQALS 3 (p < 0.001). Our results suggest implementing two familiarization sessions for our HIFT-based workout was sufficient to decrease anxiety and establish a baseline measurement. Future research should examine if this remains true for other types of HIFT-based workouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The session rate of perceived exertion method (sRPE) has often been utilized in sports activities in which quantification of external training loads is challenging. The multi-modal, constantly varied nature of high intensity functional training (HIFT) represents a significant hurdle to calculate external work and the sRPE method may provide an elegant solution to this problem. However, no studies have investigated the psychometric properties of sRPE within HIFT interventions. Twenty-five healthy men and women participated in six weeks of HIFT. Rate of perceived exertion and heart rate were assessed within every training session throughout the duration of the intervention. Compared to criterion heart rate-based measures, we observed sRPE method is a valid tool across individual, group, and sex levels. However, poor reliability in participants' abilities to correctly match rate of perceived exertion with the relative level of physiologic effort (i.e., percentile of maximum heart rate) currently limits the utility of this strategy within HIFT. When applied, the validity and reliability of the sRPE seem to improve over time, and future research should continue to explore the potential of this monitoring strategy within HIFT interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Research suggests that physical activity (PA) levels decline with age, with older adults having a tendency to not meet PA recommendations (i.e., 150 weekly minutes of moderate-vigorous aerobic PA and 2+ days of muscle-strengthening). Perceived confidence can positively influence PA levels, with higher levels of confidence resulting in greater amounts of PA. High intensity functional training (HIFT) classes can aid in meeting PA recommendations by helping participants meet basic psychological needs, providing community, and scaling workouts to accommodate varying skill levels, thus supporting perceived confidence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age and perceived confidence amongst individuals aged 18-76 attending HIFT classes. METHODS: Eighty-four participants (56% female, 91.7% white, 92.8% some college education or higher; M age = 39.0 ± 18.0 years, age range = 18-76) with varying levels of HIFT experience (range = 0 - 120 months; mean weekly attendance = 3 days/week) completed an online survey answering questions regarding how confident they were when completing various aspects of activities/sports. Correlations were computed between age and confidence for the various aspects of activities/sports. RESULTS: Significant negative correlations existed between age and confidence in one's ability to complete physical exercises or compete in a sport requiring effort [r(80)= -.31, p= 0.01], accuracy [r(80)= -.43, p < 0.01], agility [r(78)= -.339, p < 0.01], coordination [r(79)= -.397, p < 0.01], balance [r(79)= -.397, p < 0.01], and strength [r(79)= -.341, p < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Despite regular HIFT participation, perceived confidence in the ability to exert effort, accuracy, agility, coordination, balance, and strength was lower with increasing age. Although statistically significant, our correlations were small, and future research should examine if HIFT participation attenuates these confidence declines more so than other types of exercise programs. In addition, changes in confidence over time should be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]