Frequently Asked Questions
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Where is this study being conducted? Do I have to travel to participate?
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What is High-Intensity Functional Training? What is CrossFit? Is CrossFit dangerous?
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What happens if I don't want to participate after signing up? Can I leave the study at any point?
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What if I'm injured? What happens if I get injured during the study?
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Are you going to tell my Commander if I do poorly during the study?
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Do I have to pay money to participate? Do I get paid to participate?
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How does this study benefit me? How does it benefit the Army?
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What if I am scheduled to travel (TDY) during the study? Can I still participate?
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Who is funding this study? How is Kansas State University involved?
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Are there any dietary restrictions I will need to follow? Will you give me a diet plan?
- What is the purpose of the ATHIS study?
- Who is eligible to participate in this study?
- How much time will I have to commit to participating in this study? Will participating take me away from my normal duties?
- Where is the study being conducted? Do I have to travel to participate?
- What is High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)? What is CrossFit? Is CrossFit dangerous?
- Can I choose which exercise group I'm assigned to?
- Can I bring a friend?
- What happens if I don't want to participate after signing up? Can I leave the study at any point?
- What if I'm injured? What happens if I get injured during the study?
- Are you going to tell my Commander if I do poorly during this study?
- I noticed there is an APFT as part of the study; will my Commander get my scores? Will this count towards my mandatory bi-annual APFT?
- Do I have to pay money to participate? Do I get paid to participate?
- How does this study benefit me? How does it benefit the Army?
- What if I am scheduled to travel (TDY) during the study? Can I still participate?
- Who is funding this study? How is Kansas State University (KSU) involved?
- Are there any dietary restrictions I will need to follow? Will you give me a diet plan?
The purpose of this research project is to test the effectiveness of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) compared to usual care Army physical readiness training (APRT) in active duty and Reserve/Guard military personnel for improving body composition, fitness, cardiovascular health, and psychosocial outcomes. The information gathered during this study will provide critical data for military health leadership and Army physical fitness programming.
Active Duty and Reserve/Guard US Military personnel willing and able to adhere to the study protocol and complete all assessments, and have a high likelihood of being at Fort Leavenworth/Manhattan area for the length of the study (8-months +/- 1-month). We cannot accept civilians, international personnel, anyone on a medial profile or having an injury preventing exercise, pregnant or lactating, currently on administrative leave, or having administrative-only duties, or individuals with an implanted device or pacemaker.
You will spend 60-90 minutes each weekday participating in one of the training programs. These workout sessions should not take you away from your normal duties. Sessions will be conducted at a time mutually agreed upon by your exercise group.
The study is being conducted at Fort Leavenworth or Kansas State University in Manhattan. No travel will be needed; however, travel workouts are available as needed.
High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) includes various anaerobic and aerobic exercises performed at a relatively high intensity. The focus is on using natural movements that humans do or may need to do in everyday life. CrossFit is a training program that represents one approach to HIFT. It includes constantly varied, functional movements, performed at a relatively high intensity. As with any exercise program, there are possible risks associated with HIFT. However, the risk of injury is low when performing sports and exercise activities. You will have direct supervision of a coach that will decrease the risk for injury even more.
Participants will be randomly assigned to the exercise programs so you will not be able to choose the program or group. However, both programs should give you a solid exercise routine and should help you to improve.
Yes! As long as they meet the above eligibility requirements and sign up for the study, you are welcome to inform all of your friends. However, you may not bring friends outside of your respective unit/group to come to the workout sessions. Some of the areas we will use are public, and your friends may do their own workout in the same area, but they should not join your workout session.
You are allowed to drop out of the study at any point. Participation in this study is voluntarily, and you should not face any repercussions for dropping out. However, if you already know that you have a commitment/event that will prevent you from finishing the study (e.g. PCSing), we ask you inform us prior to signing up.
If you are currently injured, and have a medical profile (temporary or permanent), you are not eligible to sign up for the study. If you are injured during the study, you may still continue participating within the limitations of your injury if you wish. We will be tracking injury rates, and how much time off from exercising the injury causes.
The information we gather in this study and from fitness tests will not be forwarded to any of your Commanders or any other Army personnel. Data will solely be used for our own research purposes. Your personal results will be offered only to you, and you may share that information with whomever you choose. All published data resulting from this study will not use any identifying information, and no one should be able to track specific results to any individual.
No. None of your results will be forwarded to any Army personnel.
No payment is necessary for participation and there will be no monetary compensation given for participation.
Through your participation in this study, you will have an opportunity to participate in structured exercise programs led by certified fitness professionals at no charge to you. You may improve your body composition, fitness, and cardiovascular health. You will receive a full report of your results at each measurement point and will have the opportunity to ask questions. Potential benefits to the Army include better understanding how to effectively improve fitness in military personnel and the study will provide critical data for military health leadership and Army physical fitness programming.
If you must travel during the study, we have compiled travel workouts with training videos for you to complete. You are still expected to train and log your workouts 5 days/week, as though you were still at Fort Leavenworth/Manhattan.
The study is funded by a grant through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. More information about this organization can be found at their website. Dr. Katie Heinrich is an Associate Professor at KSU and her research lab is based at KSU. More information can be found on the researcher biographies page.
There are no dietary restrictions or diet plans. Participants in each study group will be provided dietary information related to that type of training, but do not have to follow any specific eating plan.