HealthyHIFTNCT06582251
The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training in Tactical Populations
A study testing High-intensity functional training, Traditional resistance training and Concurrent training in people with Healthy, run by University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance metrics, body composition, and mental and physical… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy
- What is being tested?
- High-intensity functional training, Traditional resistance training and Concurrent training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 26 Aug 2024to 1 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Males and females between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive) and enrolled in a reserve officer training corps program.
- Subject has provided written and dated informed consent to participate in the study.
- Subject is in good health as determined by medical history and is cleared for exercise.
- BMI between 17.0 and 29.9 kg/m2.
- "Good" category or greater for their aerobic capacity according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) normative data for their age and sex as measured at their baseline visit.
Who cannot join
- Participants with any musculoskeletal injuries that would prevent completion of these exercise programs.
- Participants with any metabolic disorder, including known electrolyte abnormalities, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled thyroid disease, adrenal disease, or hypogonadism.
- Participants with a history of hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurologic disease.
- Participants who have lost or gained greater than eight pounds within three months prior to study enrollment.
- Participants currently taking hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, or anti-coagulant medications.
- Participants who are pregnant or lactating.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of South Carolina Sport Science Lab
Columbia, South Carolina, 29208
About this study
Official title: The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training Versus Traditional Strength Training or Concurrent Training on Performance and Readiness in Tactical Populations
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance metrics, body composition, and mental and physical readiness of tactical personnel.
Read the detailed description
This study assesses the impact of 8-weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on various performance outcomes. The main questions the study aims to answer are:
- Evaluate the distinct effects of HIFT, RT, and RT plus HIIT over eight weeks on physical performance and body composition measures in tactical men and women.
- Determine the distress, training load, and physical readiness associated with each of the three distinct training interventions over eight weeks.
Participants will:
- Take part in 10-weeks total of study-related activity.
- Complete four total sessions of pre and post-testing sessions, which include body composition, maximal oxygen uptake testing (VO2max), upper and lower body maximal strength, and lower body power.
- Be randomly assigned to an exercise training intervention.
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Being tested
- High-intensity functional training, Traditional resistance training, Concurrent training
- Keywords
- high-intensity functional training, tactical, military
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
High-intensity functional trainingBehavioural
Participants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of high-intensity functional training.
Traditional resistance trainingBehavioural
Participants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of traditional strength and hypertrophy training.
Concurrent trainingBehavioural
Participants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of traditional strength and hypertrophy training followed by high-intensity interval aerobic training.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| High Intensity Functional Training | Experimental | Training will include power and strength movements, then 30 minutes of metabolic conditioning training comprised of whole-body multi-joint movements. Receives: Behavioral: High-intensity functional training |
| Traditional Resistance Training | Active comparator | This group will perform traditional resistance training. Receives: Behavioral: Traditional resistance training |
| Concurrent Training | Active comparator | This group will perform traditional resistance training followed by 20 minutes of running, high intensity intervals. Receives: Behavioral: Concurrent training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in body composition body fat percentage.
Body fat percentage via air-displacement
Measured: Baseline and Week 10
Changes in body composition fat-free mass.
Fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography.
Measured: Baseline and Week 10
Changes in body composition dry fat-free mass.
Dry fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography and bio-electrical impedance.
Measured: Baseline and Week 10
Changes in upper body strength.
Upper body strength assessed by 1 repetition maximum bench press.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Changes in lower body strength.
Lower body strength assessed by isometric mid-thigh pulls on bilateral force plates.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Changes in maximal oxygen consumption.
Changes in VO2max measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Changes in ventilatory threshold.
Changes in ventilatory threshold measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Changes in velocity at VO2 max.
Assessed by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Measured: Baseline and week 10
Secondary outcomes (3)
Internal training load between groups.
Assessed by heart rate chest strap using Edwards training impulse calculation.
Measured: Every training session over the 8-week intervention period will be included in this calculation.
Changes in training distress
Overall training distress and subscales including depressed moods, vigor, physical signs and symptoms, sleep disturbances, perceived stress, and general fatigue using the multicomponent training distress scale, scaled 0 - 110 with higher scores indicating more distress.
Measured: Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.
Changes in anaerobic power.
Measured by countermovement jump through bilateral force plates.
Measured: Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Sep 2024
- Study start26 Aug 2024
- Primary completion1 Jan 2026
- Study completion1 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of South CarolinaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of South Carolina
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Shawn M. Arent, University of South Carolina
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06582251
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Pro00137947
- Acronym
- HIFT
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2024
- Last updated
- 11 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training Versus Traditional Strength Training or Concurrent Training on Performance and Readiness in Tactical Populations
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06582251
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HIFT / Pro00137947
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Keywords
- high-intensity functional training, tactical, military
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of South CarolinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Study start
- 26 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical performance metrics, body composition, and mental and physical readiness of tactical personnel.
Detailed description
This study assesses the impact of 8-weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) as compared to traditional resistance training (RT) and concurrent training consisting of RT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on various performance outcomes. The main questions the study aims to answer are:
- Evaluate the distinct effects of HIFT, RT, and RT plus HIIT over eight weeks on physical performance and body composition measures in tactical men and women.
- Determine the distress, training load, and physical readiness associated with each of the three distinct training interventions over eight weeks.
Participants will:
- Take part in 10-weeks total of study-related activity.
- Complete four total sessions of pre and post-testing sessions, which include body composition, maximal oxygen uptake testing (VO2max), upper and lower body maximal strength, and lower body power.
- Be randomly assigned to an exercise training intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| High Intensity Functional Training | Experimental | Behavioral: High-intensity functional trainingTraining will include power and strength movements, then 30 minutes of metabolic conditioning training comprised of whole-body multi-joint movements. |
| Traditional Resistance Training | Active comparator | Behavioral: Traditional resistance trainingThis group will perform traditional resistance training. |
| Concurrent Training | Active comparator | Behavioral: Concurrent trainingThis group will perform traditional resistance training followed by 20 minutes of running, high intensity intervals. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Males and females between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive) and enrolled in a reserve officer training corps program.
- Subject has provided written and dated informed consent to participate in the study.
- Subject is in good health as determined by medical history and is cleared for exercise.
- BMI between 17.0 and 29.9 kg/m2.
- "Good" category or greater for their aerobic capacity according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) normative data for their age and sex as measured at their baseline visit.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants with any musculoskeletal injuries that would prevent completion of these exercise programs.
- Participants with any metabolic disorder, including known electrolyte abnormalities, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled thyroid disease, adrenal disease, or hypogonadism.
- Participants with a history of hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurologic disease.
- Participants who have lost or gained greater than eight pounds within three months prior to study enrollment.
- Participants currently taking hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, or anti-coagulant medications.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| High-intensity functional trainingParticipants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of high-intensity functional training. | Behavioural | High Intensity Functional Training |
| Traditional resistance trainingParticipants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of traditional strength and hypertrophy training. | Behavioural | Traditional Resistance Training |
| Concurrent trainingParticipants assigned to this group will undergo 8 weeks of traditional strength and hypertrophy training followed by high-intensity interval aerobic training. | Behavioural | Concurrent Training |
Primary outcome
Changes in body composition body fat percentage.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10
Body fat percentage via air-displacement
Changes in body composition fat-free mass.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10
Fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography.
Changes in body composition dry fat-free mass.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 10
Dry fat-free mass via air-displacement plethysmography and bio-electrical impedance.
Changes in upper body strength.
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Upper body strength assessed by 1 repetition maximum bench press.
Changes in lower body strength.
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Lower body strength assessed by isometric mid-thigh pulls on bilateral force plates.
Changes in maximal oxygen consumption.
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Changes in VO2max measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Changes in ventilatory threshold.
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Changes in ventilatory threshold measured by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Changes in velocity at VO2 max.
Time frame: Baseline and week 10
Assessed by maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
3 secondary outcomes
Internal training load between groups.
Time frame: Every training session over the 8-week intervention period will be included in this calculation.
Changes in training distress
Time frame: Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.
Changes in anaerobic power.
Time frame: Baseline, once per week for the 8 training weeks.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Feb 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing High-intensity functional training, Traditional resistance training and Concurrent training in people with Healthy, run by University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in body composition body fat percentage. (time frame: Baseline and Week 10). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Feb 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.