The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training on the Perceptions of Exercise in Middle-Aged Females: A Pilot Study.

The high prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity in the U.S. is a public health crisis. This study aims to examine the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) on exercise perceptions and physiological changes in inactive females. A pre-test and post-test, quasi-experimental design was conducted with inactive, middle-aged females (n = 8) participating in an 8-week supervised and verified intervention (2-week High-Intensity Interval Training, 6-weeks HIFT). The Health Belief Model Scale for Exercise (HBMS-E) survey was completed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up to assess exercise perceptions. Pre- and post-intervention physiological assessments included: body composition, strength (1-repetition maximum (RM) bench press (BP), 5-RM deadlift (DL), and maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O_2max). A within-subjects repeated-measures ANOVA assessed the HBM constructs between pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up. Dependent t-tests compared physiological outcomes pre- to post-intervention. There was a significant decrease between pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up for objective (F(2, 14)=22.24, p < .001) and subjective barriers (F(2, 14) = 11.20, p = .001), and a significant increase in self-efficacy (F(1.08, 7.53)= 8.96, p = .02). There was a significant increase in V̇O_2max (p = .001, d = 1.81), 1-RM BP (p < .001, d = 2.51), and 5-RM DL (p = .001, d = 1.83) pre- to post-intervention. Findings suggest HIFT positively influenced middle-aged females' perceptions of barriers and self-efficacy related to exercise and provides fitness benefits to improve health and wellness.