HIFT for Neurological Disorders

(SHIFT-AR Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English speakers, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Individuals with and without neurologic diagnoses greatly benefit from participation in regular exercise but the majority are physically inactive. This is an issue for both them and their care partners as their health is often linked. This study aims to examine the long-term physical and psychosocial effects of structured, group-based, high intensity functional training (HIFT) exercise for people with neurologic diagnoses and their care partners.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) for neurological disorders?

Research shows that High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) can improve working memory and cognitive performance, which might be beneficial for neurological disorders. HIFT combines aerobic and resistance exercises, leading to better physical and mental readiness, and has been shown to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, which are important for overall brain function. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) generally safe for humans?

HIFT, often known as CrossFit, has injury rates similar to other exercise programs, with common injuries affecting shoulders, backs, and knees. Most injuries are linked to weightlifting exercises, and factors like prior injuries and training frequency can increase risk. More high-quality studies are needed to fully understand its safety. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

How is the treatment HIFT unique for neurological disorders?

HIFT is unique because it combines high-intensity interval training with strength exercises, which can improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, and cognitive functions more effectively than traditional aerobic exercises. This approach may offer benefits for neurological disorders by enhancing both physical and mental performance. ^{1 2 5 9 10}

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who can read and speak English, have a neurological condition like spinal cord injury, Parkinson's, stroke, or multiple sclerosis (or are care partners of someone with such conditions), can move their arms well, get around on their own, and have doctor approval to exercise. They must also handle their own transport to the study site.

Inclusion Criteria

My doctor has approved me to exercise.

I am 18 years old or older.

Participants must be able to communicate and read in English

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will be excluded if they fail to meet any of the inclusion requirements

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in twice weekly group-based high intensity functional training (HIFT) exercise for up to 2 years

24 months

Twice weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests high intensity functional training (HIFT) exercises' effects on physical and mental health in people with neurological disorders and their caregivers. It involves structured group workouts designed for both populations.

Participant Groups

Group I: HIFT Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In this single group design, all participants will be provided with up to two years of twice weekly supervised group exercise.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Lead Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

1,200+

Findings from Research

High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) programs, such as CrossFit and HITT, offer practical benefits for military personnel, including shorter training times and lower injury potential compared to traditional endurance training, while still achieving significant fitness outcomes.

HIFT promotes various health benefits, including improved metabolic conditioning and muscular strength, and is scalable to all fitness levels, making it a recommended standard for military physical training despite the need for further research on its implementation and comparison with traditional training methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Benefits of High-Intensity Functional Training Fitness Programs for Military Personnel. Haddock, CK., Poston, WS., Heinrich, KM., et al.[2022]

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) significantly improved cognitive performance, particularly working memory, compared to both moderate walking and a control group that was inactive, based on tests like the Digit Span Test.

In a study involving 35 healthy individuals, HIFT was shown to be more effective than walking at 60% heart rate reserve in enhancing cognitive performance, suggesting that this type of exercise may offer unique benefits for mental function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional high-intensity exercise is more effective in acutely increasing working memory than aerobic walking: an exploratory randomized, controlled trial. Wilke, J.[2021]

High-intensity functional training (HIFT) sessions can lead to significant energy expenditure, averaging about 485 kcal per session, which translates to approximately 1400 kcal per week, making it a time-efficient exercise option.

The intensity of HIFT was found to be vigorous, with METs ranging from 5.5 to 11.6, and participants reaching about 80% of their maximum heart rate, indicating that HIFT can effectively meet exercise guidelines for improving health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy Expenditure and Intensity of Group-Based High-Intensity Functional Training: A Brief Report. Willis, EA., Szabo-Reed, AN., Ptomey, LT., et al.[2020]

High-intensity functional training (HIFT) focuses on functional, multi-joint movements that can be adapted for any fitness level, potentially leading to greater muscle recruitment compared to traditional exercises.

While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been well-studied for its metabolic and cardiorespiratory benefits, the effects of HIFT are less understood, highlighting the need for further research to evaluate its impact on health and fitness outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): Definition and Research Implications for Improved Fitness. Feito, Y., Heinrich, KM., Butcher, SJ., et al.[2022]

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) combines elements of high-intensity interval training and strength exercises, leading to improved cardiovascular fitness and strength due to greater muscle recruitment compared to traditional aerobic exercises.

HIFT is associated with enhanced health markers, including cardiovascular and metabolic health, as well as cognitive function, which may contribute to reduced all-cause mortality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Functional Training: Molecular Mechanisms and Benefits. Ben-Zeev, T., Okun, E.[2022]

In a study involving 10 healthy males, both short (<5 minutes) and longer (15 minutes) High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) sessions resulted in similar transient stress on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), as indicated by unchanged heart rate variability and catecholamine levels.

Both HIFT durations caused a temporary decrease in heart rate variability markers immediately after exercise, with recovery occurring within 2 hours, suggesting that the duration of HIFT does not significantly affect ANS recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Autonomic response to a short and long bout of high-intensity functional training. Kliszczewicz, B., Williamson, C., Bechke, E., et al.[2018]

Injuries during high-intensity functional training (HIFT) occur at rates comparable to other sports and exercise programs, with a mean injury prevalence of 35% and an injury rate of about 3 injuries per 1,000 hours of training based on a comprehensive review of 24 studies.

The most common injuries in HIFT are to the shoulders, backs, and knees, primarily linked to weightlifting exercises, indicating that while HIFT can be effective, attention to technique and injury prevention is crucial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Injuries During High-Intensity Functional Training. Knapik, JJ.[2022]

A 16-week High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) program led to significant improvements in strength and metabolic conditioning for both men and women, with notable performance gains across various workouts.

Women showed greater enhancements in Bone Mineral Content (BMC) compared to men, particularly in the trunk area, indicating potential gender differences in bone health adaptations from HIFT.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in body composition, bone metabolism, strength, and skill-specific performance resulting from 16-weeks of HIFT. Feito, Y., Hoffstetter, W., Serafini, P., et al.[2023]

High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) athletes demonstrated aerobic capacity (VO2peak) comparable to endurance athletes, indicating that HIFT can effectively improve cardiovascular fitness.

HIFT athletes also exhibited significant strength and power outputs similar to power athletes, suggesting that HIFT is an effective training method for enhancing both endurance and strength components in physical fitness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological profile comparison between high intensity functional training, endurance and power athletes. Adami, PE., Rocchi, JE., Melke, N., et al.[2022]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Benefits of High-Intensity Functional Training Fitness Programs for Military Personnel. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional high-intensity exercise is more effective in acutely increasing working memory than aerobic walking: an exploratory randomized, controlled trial. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Energy Expenditure and Intensity of Group-Based High-Intensity Functional Training: A Brief Report. [2020]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): Definition and Research Implications for Improved Fitness. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Functional Training: Molecular Mechanisms and Benefits. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epidemiology of High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) injuries in Brazil. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Autonomic response to a short and long bout of high-intensity functional training. [2018]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Injuries During High-Intensity Functional Training. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in body composition, bone metabolism, strength, and skill-specific performance resulting from 16-weeks of HIFT. [2023]

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological profile comparison between high intensity functional training, endurance and power athletes. [2022]