Workout Pacing Predictors of Crossfit® Open Performance: A Pilot Study

To observe workout repetition and rest interval pacing strategies and determine which best predicted performance during the 2016 CrossFit® Open, five male (34.4 ± 3.8 years, 176 ± 5 cm, 80.3 ± 9.7 kg) and six female (35.2 ± 6.3 years, 158 ± 7 cm, 75.9 ± 19.3 kg) recreational competitors were recruited for this observational, pilot study. Exercise, round, and rest time were quantified via a stopwatch for all competitors on their first attempt of each of the five workouts. Subsequently, pacing was calculated as a repetition rate (repetitions·s-1) to determine the fastest, slowest, and average rate for each exercise, round, and rest interval, as well as how these changed (i.e., slope, Δ rate / round) across each workout. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients indicated that several pacing variables were significantly (p < 0.05) related to performance on each workout. However, stepwise regression analysis indicated that the average round rate best predicted (p < 0.001) performance on the first (R2 = 0.89), second (R2 = 0.99), and fifth (R2 = 0.94) workouts, while the competitors’ rate on their slowest round best predicted workout three performance (R2 = 0.94, p < 0.001). The wall ball completion rate (R2 = 0.89, p = 0.002) was the best predictor of workout four performance, which was improved by 9.8% with the inclusion of the deadlift completion rate. These data suggest that when CrossFit® Open workouts consist of multiple rounds, competitors should employ a fast and sustainable pace to improve performance. Otherwise, focusing on one or two key exercises may be the best approach.

Mangine, G. T., Feito, Y., Tankersley, J. E., McDougle, J. M., Kliszczewicz, B. M. (2021). Workout Pacing Predictors of Crossfit® Open Performance: A Pilot Study. Journal of Human Kinetics, 78, 89-100. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0043

Mangine, G. T., Feito, Y., Tankersley, J. E., McDougle, J. M., and Kliszczewicz, B. M. (2021). Workout Pacing Predictors of Crossfit® Open Performance: A Pilot Study. Journal of Human Kinetics, 78, pp.89-100. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0043

Mangine, Gerald et al. “Workout Pacing Predictors of Crossfit® Open Performance: A Pilot Study.” Journal of Human Kinetics, vol. 78, 2021, pp. 89-100. doi:10.2478/hukin-2021-0043.

Mangine GT, Feito Y, Tankersley JE, McDougle JM, Kliszczewicz BM. Workout Pacing Predictors of Crossfit® Open Performance: A Pilot Study. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2021;78:89-100. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0043