ACUTE RESPONSES OF HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE DURING CROSSFIT SESSIONS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Authors

  • Lucas Cândido Ferreira da Silva
  • Ingrid Guedes Oliveira
  • Paula Adriana dos Santos de Fontes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-261

Keywords:

Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Responses, CrossFit, Heart Rate, Physical Exercise

Abstract

CrossFit is characterized by the combination of strength exercises, gymnastics, and cardiovascular conditioning, organized into sessions with different intensities and structures. This study aimed to analyze scientific evidence regarding acute heart rate and blood pressure responses during and after CrossFit sessions. An integrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and SciELO databases, employing descriptors related to CrossFit, heart rate, and blood pressure. A total of 61 records were identified, of which nine studies met the eligibility criteria. The findings demonstrated high cardiovascular demands during workouts of the day (WODs), with heart rate values frequently approaching or exceeding 90% of maximum heart rate. Exercise organization, duration, and workout structure influenced the magnitude of cardiac responses. However, only two studies directly investigated blood pressure, identifying specific changes according to the workout protocol performed. Evidence regarding cardiovascular recovery was also limited due to differences in assessment timing. The predominance of small samples and trained participants restricted the generalizability of the findings. It was concluded that acute cardiovascular responses to CrossFit vary according to WOD characteristics, highlighting the importance of individualized exercise intensity monitoring. Further investigations with greater methodological standardization are needed, particularly regarding blood pressure behavior and post-exercise cardiovascular recovery.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE. ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 11. ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2021.

BUSTOS-VIVIESCAS, B. J. et al. Relación del ritmo de repetición del CrossFit WOD Karen con la frecuencia cardíaca y el esfuerzo percibido. Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomédicas, v. 42, e1154, 2023.

DIAS, M. R. et al. Training load through heart rate and perceived exertion during CrossFit®. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, v. 28, n. 4, p. 315-319, 2022. DOI: 10.1590/1517-8692202228042021_0036.

FORTE, L. D. M. et al. Physiological responses after two different CrossFit workouts. Biology of Sport, v. 39, n. 2, p. 231-236, 2022. DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2021.102928.

MARTINHO, D. V. et al. The physical demands and physiological responses to CrossFit®: a scoping review with evidence gap map and meta-correlation. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, v. 16, art. 196, 2024. DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00986-3.

MATÉ-MUÑOZ, J. L. et al. Cardiometabolic and muscular fatigue responses to different CrossFit® workouts. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, v. 17, n. 4, p. 668-679, 2018.

MEIER, N.; SCHLIE, J.; SCHMIDT, A. Physiological effects of regular CrossFit® training and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, v. 14, 1146718, 2023. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1146718.

MENDES, K. D. S.; SILVEIRA, R. C. C. P.; GALVÃO, C. M. Revisão integrativa: método de pesquisa para a incorporação de evidências na saúde e na enfermagem. Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem, v. 17, n. 4, p. 758-764, 2008. DOI: 10.1590/S0104-07072008000400018.

PAGE, M. J. et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, v. 372, n. 71, 2021. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n71.

RIOS, M. et al. Effect of the Fran CrossFit workout on oxygen uptake kinetics, energetics, and postexercise muscle function in trained CrossFitters. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, v. 19, n. 3, p. 299-306, 2024. DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0201.

RIOS, M. et al. Sex-related differences in the acute physiological response to a high-intensity CrossFit® workout. Current Research in Physiology, v. 8, 100148, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2025.100148.

SOUZA, M. T.; SILVA, M. D.; CARVALHO, R. Revisão integrativa: o que é e como fazer. Einstein (São Paulo), v. 8, n. 1, p. 102-106, 2010. DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082010RW1134.

TIBANA, R. A. et al. Lactate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion responses to shorter and longer duration CrossFit® training sessions. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, v. 3, n. 4, art. 60, 2018. DOI: 10.3390/jfmk3040060.

TIMÓN, R. et al. 48-hour recovery of biochemical parameters and physical performance after two modalities of CrossFit workouts. Biology of Sport, v. 36, n. 3, p. 283-289, 2019. DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2019.85458.

TOLEDO, R. et al. Comparison of physiological responses and training load between different CrossFit® workouts with equalized volume in men and women. Life, v. 11, n. 6, art. 586, 2021. DOI: 10.3390/life11060586.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Geneva: World Health Organization, 2025.

Published

2026-10-27

How to Cite

da Silva, L. C. F. ., Oliveira, I. G. ., & de Fontes, P. A. dos S. . (2026). ACUTE RESPONSES OF HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE DURING CROSSFIT SESSIONS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW. South American Sciences, 6(2), e26489. https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-261

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>