Overall and Individual CrossFit Open Workouts Have Differed Between Men and Women Across Every Year of the Competition's Existence
Disciplines
Sports Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
To examine CrossFit® Open (CFO) workload requirements in men and women, official scores were collected for all competitors from 2011-2025. A stratified random sample of 500 men and 500 women (18-54 years), who surpassed a predefined minimum score on each workout, were selected from each year. Scores (completion time, repetition count, or load) were decomposed to find repetition counts for each exercise. Total concentric mechanical work (kg·m) was quantified based on each repetition count, prescribed loads (when applicable), and a standard model (man: 85.6 kg; 177 cm; woman: 62.6 kg; 164 cm) with proportional limb masses and lengths. Total work (sum of work for all exercises) and total work rate (total work divided by time, kg·m·min-1) were calculated for all workouts, and then averaged and compared for each year via separate (sex x year) analyses of variance. Individual workouts were classified into three distinct bins via cluster analysis. Significant interactions (p< 0.001) revealed variable work and work rate requirements for men and women across each year. The 2025 CFO required the most work and highest work rate for men (+37,030-44,423 kg·m; +2,491-3,192 kg·m·min-1) and women (+27,839-32,969 kg·m; +2,019-2,300 kg·m·min-1) compared to all other years, whereas the least work and work rate varied (men: 2015,7,089 ± 1,243 kg·m; 2023, 582 ± 71 kg·m·min⁻¹; women: 2016, 3437 ± 538 kg·m; 2016, 283 ± 62 kg·m·min⁻¹). Three significantly (p< 0.001) different cluster ranges were found for men (Bin 1: 3,478-8,556 kg·m, 195-1,238 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 2: 8,793-19310 kg·m, 517-1,839 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 3: 19,067-23,879 kg·m, 1,078-1,399 kg·m·min⁻¹) and women (Bin 1: 1,839-13,264 kg·m, 184-663 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 2: 3,003-15,965 kg·m, 675-1,048 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 3: 2,079-7,728 kg·m, 109-386 kg·m·min⁻¹). CFO workload requirements are different each year, and individual workout programming has led to different requirements for men and women. Their preparation and strategy should acknowledge and reflect these differences.
Use of AI Disclaimer
no
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS – Exercise Science and Sport Management
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Gerald Mangine
Overall and Individual CrossFit Open Workouts Have Differed Between Men and Women Across Every Year of the Competition's Existence
To examine CrossFit® Open (CFO) workload requirements in men and women, official scores were collected for all competitors from 2011-2025. A stratified random sample of 500 men and 500 women (18-54 years), who surpassed a predefined minimum score on each workout, were selected from each year. Scores (completion time, repetition count, or load) were decomposed to find repetition counts for each exercise. Total concentric mechanical work (kg·m) was quantified based on each repetition count, prescribed loads (when applicable), and a standard model (man: 85.6 kg; 177 cm; woman: 62.6 kg; 164 cm) with proportional limb masses and lengths. Total work (sum of work for all exercises) and total work rate (total work divided by time, kg·m·min-1) were calculated for all workouts, and then averaged and compared for each year via separate (sex x year) analyses of variance. Individual workouts were classified into three distinct bins via cluster analysis. Significant interactions (p< 0.001) revealed variable work and work rate requirements for men and women across each year. The 2025 CFO required the most work and highest work rate for men (+37,030-44,423 kg·m; +2,491-3,192 kg·m·min-1) and women (+27,839-32,969 kg·m; +2,019-2,300 kg·m·min-1) compared to all other years, whereas the least work and work rate varied (men: 2015,7,089 ± 1,243 kg·m; 2023, 582 ± 71 kg·m·min⁻¹; women: 2016, 3437 ± 538 kg·m; 2016, 283 ± 62 kg·m·min⁻¹). Three significantly (p< 0.001) different cluster ranges were found for men (Bin 1: 3,478-8,556 kg·m, 195-1,238 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 2: 8,793-19310 kg·m, 517-1,839 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 3: 19,067-23,879 kg·m, 1,078-1,399 kg·m·min⁻¹) and women (Bin 1: 1,839-13,264 kg·m, 184-663 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 2: 3,003-15,965 kg·m, 675-1,048 kg·m·min⁻¹; Bin 3: 2,079-7,728 kg·m, 109-386 kg·m·min⁻¹). CFO workload requirements are different each year, and individual workout programming has led to different requirements for men and women. Their preparation and strategy should acknowledge and reflect these differences.