Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of high‐intensity functional training (HIFT) on hormonal and inflammatory biomarker responses during military service. One hundred and twenty‐seven male conscripts were assessed over a 19‐week training period. The experimental group (EXP: n = 64) followed a structured HIFT program, while the control group (CON: n = 63) adhered to conventional military physical training. Blood samples were collected at baseline (PRE), week 10 (MID), and post‐intervention (POST) to measure serum testosterone, cortisol, testosterone/cortisol ratio, insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α). Body composition and physical performance were also measured. Serum testosterone increased in both groups between PRE and POST (EXP: +3.3 ± 3.8 nmol·L −1 , p < 0.001; CON: +3.7 ± 3.4 nmol·L −1 , p < 0.001), while cortisol remained unchanged. Testosterone/cortisol ratio increased in both groups (+0.010 ± 0.010, p < 0.001 for both). IGF‐1 increased in CON (+4.4 ± 5.9 nmol·L −1 , p < 0.001) and SHBG increased in EXP (+3.1 ± 9.0 nmol·L −1 , p = 0.005). Inflammatory biomarkers (hs‐CRP, IL‐6) decreased in both groups. No adverse biomarker responses were observed, suggesting that HIFT was well tolerated during military service.
Source: Physiological Reports
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.70592
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,050
OpenAlex ID: W4414747750