High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) is a novel exercise intervention that may test body systems in a balanced and integrated fashion by challenging individuals’ abilities to complete mechanical work. However, research has not previously determined if physical work capacity is unique to traditional physiologic measures of fitness. Twenty-five healthy men and women completed a six-week HIFT intervention with physical work capacity and various physiologic measures of fitness assessed pre- and post-intervention. At baseline, these physiologic measures of fitness (e.g., aerobic capacity) were significantly associated with physical work capacity and this relationship was even stronger at post-intervention assessment. Further, there were significant improvements across these physiologic measures in response to the delivered intervention. However, the change in these physiologic measures failed to predict the change in physical work capacity induced via HIFT. These findings point to the potential utility of HIFT as a unique challenge to individuals’ physiology beyond traditional resistance or aerobic training. Elucidating the translational impact of increasing work capacity via HIFT may be of great interest to health and fitness practitioners ranging from strength/conditioning coaches to physical therapists.

The session rate of perceived exertion method (sRPE) has often been utilized in sports activities in which quantification of external training loads is challenging. The multi-modal, constantly varied nature of high intensity functional training (HIFT) represents a significant hurdle to calculate external work and the sRPE method may provide an elegant solution to this problem. However, no studies have investigated the psychometric properties of sRPE within HIFT interventions. Twenty-five healthy men and women participated in six weeks of HIFT. Rate of perceived exertion and heart rate were assessed within every training session throughout the duration of the intervention. Compared to criterion heart rate-based measures, we observed sRPE method is a valid tool across individual, group, and sex levels. However, poor reliability in participants’ abilities to correctly match rate of perceived exertion with the relative level of physiologic effort (i.e., percentile of maximum heart rate) currently limits the utility of this strategy within HIFT. When applied, the validity and reliability of the sRPE seem to improve over time, and future research should continue to explore the potential of this monitoring strategy within HIFT interventions.

Background: Lower-limb amputation (LLA) results in participation restrictions in major life activities in personal, work, and leisure environments. By participating in significantly less physical activity (PA) than those who are otherwise healthy, people with LLA are at risk for developing secondary chronic health conditions. Barriers and facilitators to PA participation for those with conventional LLA are well documented. However, these factors are not well understood for those with transtibial osteomyoplastic amputation (TOA). Purpose: The aim of this study was to qualitatively investigate the barriers and facilitators to PA participation in the TOA population. Design: This study is an observational, qualitative research using thematic analysis. Methods: Semistructured interviews were utilized to collect information-rich data from nine men with TOA. Results: The participants reported minimal body structure impairments but still experience impairment to body functions. Participants reported that they were limited during running and resistance exercises during before and after the actual amputation surgery. The majority of participants value PA benefits as they relate to prevention of chronic disease but fail to recognize potential benefits on function. An individual's motivation to participate can serve as both a facilitator and barrier to PA. Having the opportunity to socialize during PA is important to these participants. The quality of postoperative care program has a direct influence on the long-term PA participation for these participants. Conclusions: People with TOA continue to experience body function impairment, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. The health care team can play a significant role in the adoption of a physically active lifestyle for people with TOA.

Introduction: Despite advances in prosthetic management and rehabilitation, otherwise healthy men with transtibial amputation (TTA) risk residuum injury during work-related activity (WRA) performance. Little is known about WRAs, perceived exertion, or residuum anthropometric changes over time in this cohort. This information may help direct longer-term considerations for those with TTA within the workforce. Materials and Methods: In this preliminary study, investigators prospectively examined and compared WRA performance (floor-to-knuckle lift, 25-ft carry, self-paced, and brisk 2-minute walk tests [2MWT]), gait asymmetry (differences in step length, stride length, and cadence), report of perceived exertion (RPE), and residuum anthropometrics (length, girths) in otherwise healthy men with TTA at least 6 months after rehabilitation, during two visits, 12 months apart. Results: Twenty-one participants showed little difference between visits in residuum anthropometrics or in distances walked (self-paced, brisk 2MWT; p > 0.05). All had received rehabilitation varying from time of surgery and beyond initial receipt of prosthesis (n = 8; 38%) to only upon receipt of the initial prosthesis (n = 13; 62%). However, participants reported greater exertion at visit 2 during the brisk 2MWT (0.9 RPE difference; p = 0.034) but lifted 40.4 lb more at visit 2 than at the initial visit (p = 0.034). There was a progressively larger cadence difference from visit 1 to visit 2 (increased asymmetry) during the timed self-paced walk test (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Regardless of improved lift capacity or residuum anthropometric stability, this healthy male cohort with TTA demonstrated progressively worsened cadence asymmetry during self-paced 2MWT and reported increased exertion during brisk-paced 2MWT. Otherwise healthy working-age men with TTA may require continual intervention to minimize cadence asymmetry and perceived exertion, potentially reducing residuum injury risk.

This study investigated the appropriateness of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as it relates to physical activity (PA) behavior in the back pain population. The motivational and volitional constructs of the HAPA, PA, and back pain-related disability variables were assessed in a sample of 350 men and women with back pain. HAPA model fit was satisfactory accounting for 21% of the variance in PA intentions and 28% of PA behavior. All motivational phase constructs relate to PA intention. Action/coping planning and recovery self-efficacy do not relate to PA behavior. PA intentions are the strongest predictor of PA behavior. An expanded model, including disability-specific variables, satisfactorily fit the data, accounting for 32% of PA intentions and 29% of PA participation. These data partially support assumptions of the HAPA for the back pain population. For the back pain population, interventions designed to affect PA behavior must account for disability-specific variables.