Functional Fitness Training (FF), known as Crosstraining, CrossFit®, or high-intensity functional training, comprises a physical conditioning modality characterized by a wide range of movements, including running, rowing, basic and olympic weight lifting, in addition to gymnastic movements. Because it is a relatively new modality, little is known about the specific functional attributes of FF practitioners.

To analyze dynamic balance and ankle mobility of recreational FF practitioners according to gender.

This is a cross-sectional study and data collection was carried out at a university clinic in Campo Grande/MS. The sample was constituted in a non-probabilistic way, for convenience. Recreational FF practitioners of both genders, aged between 18 and 59 years old, and who had been training under professional supervision for at least one month were included. For dynamic balance analysis, the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) was used in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral reach directions. The averages of three attempts were recorded for each direction, for each lower limb. After normalizing each reach distance by the length of the lower limb, the composite score and the average between the right and left composite scores were obtained. To assess ankle mobility, the Weight-bearing lunge test was performed, recording the average angle of three attempts for each lower limb. To compare results according to sex, the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test was used, taking into account the distribution of data. Conclusions were taken at a significance level of 5%.

The sample consisted of 75 participants, most female (69.3%; n=52), aged between 18 and 55 years (mean 32.3±7.0), and average time of experience in the modality of 39.8±25.6 months. The average YBT-LQ composite score between the right and left sides was 103.0±9.1 among men and 100.9±12.2 among women, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p> 0.05). Concerning ankle mobility, the average between the right and left sides of dorsiflexion range of motion in the Weight-bearing lunge test was 48.2±6.3 among men and 48.9±7.3 among women, with no statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.05).

The performance in dynamic balance and ankle mobility of recreational FF practitioners was similar among adults of both genders.

These results can guide sports professionals in identifying normative values for balance and ankle mobility for practitioners of FF without injuries. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether these tests can predict FF-related injuries.