Format of Basic Instruction Program Resistance Training Classes: Effect on Fitness Change in College Students

New resistance training programs such as CrossFit are gaining favor among college-aged students. CrossFit and related commercial resistance training programs may provide a valuable elective option within basic instruction program (BIP) curricula, but the fitness benefits of this course have not been compared with those of existing BIP resistance training classes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different formats for BIP resistance training classes (traditional, independent, and CrossFit) on changes in fitness over the course of a semester. Participants (N = 60; M-Height = 173.60 +/- 8.63 cm; M-Weight = 76.45 +/- 17.00 kg) were recruited from six existing resistance training classes and were matched for age, sex, training experience, and total exercise sessions completed. Fitness measures included body composition (body mass index), muscular strength (hand grip), muscular endurance (1-minute squat, pull-up test, and YMCA bench press test), and muscular power (standing long jump). Testing was performed at the start and end of a semester, and the change in score was computed for each fitness variable (before - after). Independent group analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted on each change to determine the effect of course format on fitness. Changes in two fitness variables differed significantly (p < .008) by class format. The mean increase in muscular power was significantly greater among participants in traditional versus CrossFit classes, who in turn gained significantly greater muscular power than those in independent classes. The gain in upper body muscular endurance (YMCA bench press) also was significantly greater among participants in traditional classes compared with independent group participants (p < .05). CrossFit-type resistance training programs may yield greater fitness gains than unsupervised programs but may not yield the same benefits as traditional BIP resistance training courses.