Exploring the Impact of High-Intensity Functional Training: CrossFit, Hyrox, and Mixed Modalities on Physical, Psychological, and Social Health

In the last two decades, High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) has revolutionized the fitness landscape through popular modalities such as CrossFit, Cross Training, Hyrox, and/or Hybrid training. Unlike traditional unimodal exercises, HIFT emphasizes constantly varied, multi-joint movements performed at a high relative intensity, designed to improve general physical preparedness. While its effectiveness in improving body composition and physical performance is increasingly documented, its impact is not limited to the health sphere. HIFT has shown an important capacity to address common barriers to exercise, such as "lack of time" and "lack of motivation," by fostering a strong sense of community and relatedness. However, as these modalities expand to clinical populations, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, there is a pressing need to clarify the interplay between physical gains, cognitive-psychological benefits, and social determinants of this training modality.The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive, multi-dimensional evaluation of HIFT and its variants on health outcomes. We seek to explore how the interaction between the individual, the group dynamic, and the functional nature of the high-intensity movements affects overall health. This collection aims to gather high-quality evidence regarding: 1) the physiological and metabolic adaptations in different cohorts; 2) the acute and chronic effects on cognitive functions; and 3) the psychosocial mechanisms, including exercise enjoyment, social capital, and the "sense of community" that drive long-term adherence. Furthermore, we aim to address the ongoing debate regarding injury epidemiology and safety protocols to ensure these high-demand programs can be safely implemented as public health strategies. By integrating these three pillars, physical, psychological, and social, this Topic will establish evidence-based guidelines for the sustainable practice of HIFT across the lifespan.Suitable themes for manuscripts include, but are not limited to:• Physical Health: Effects of HIFT on physical health outcomes.• Psychological Health: Effects of HIFT on psychological health outcomes.• Social: Effects of HIFT on social health outcomes.• Community Factors: Investigation of social belongingness, social media connectivity in adaptive training, and the role of the "coach-athlete" relationship• Safety & Biomechanics: Injury rates in HIFT (CrossFit/Hyrox or mixed modalities) vs. traditional sports and prevention strategies.• Special Populations: HIFT for aging, mobility-related disabilities, cancer survivors, tactical athletes, and clinical population.• Comparative studies between HIFT and traditional training model. Topic editors: Daniel Velázquez Díaz, Angelo Sabag, Cristina Molina-Hidalgo, Mikel Izquierdo-Gabarren, Stefano Benítez-Flores Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79536/exploring-the-impact-of-high-intensity-functional-training-crossfit-hyrox-and-mixed-modalities-on-physical-psychological-and-social-health