Is a 4-Week Long Functional Training Program Able to Improve Physical Fitness Components in University Faculty and Staff?

Introduction: The physical wellbeing of university faculty and staff is often overlooked. Exercise improves physical fitness and could indirectly lead to benefits such as enhanced work productivity and mood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short duration high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program on essential components of physical fitness in university faculty and staff members. Methods: Eighteen university faculty and staff members (age 35.4 ± 11.7 years) participated in the study. Prior to training, they completed five assessments: cardiorespiratory fitness (submaximal VO2), muscular strength (one repetition maximal leg press [1RM]), muscular endurance (push-ups), body composition (body fat percentage [BF%]), and trunk flexibility (sit and reach). Tests were repeated after four weeks (three sessions per week) of multi-modal HIFT. Paired samples t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-training data. Results: There were significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0.009), 1RM leg press (p<0.01) and push-ups completed (p<0.01). No significant changes were shown in BF% (p=0.581) or trunk flexibility (p=0.199). Conclusions: Four weeks of training improved cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscular strength and endurance. HIFT programs represent a time-efficient and effective training method for improving multiple components of physical fitness in university faculty and staff, despite a relatively short duration.