# The Role of Physical Fitness on FRAN CrossFit(r) Workout Performance
## 4 Discussion
However, from a biomechanical perspective, it seems that CJ\({}_{30}\) might be closer to front squat thrusters and pull-ups compared to Wingate, mainly because CrossFit includes SSC movements [15; 29]; therefore, the assessment of anaerobic capacity in CrossFit\({}^{\circledR}\) is suggested to be performed with CJ. Although this explanation seems rational, more studies are needed to investigate the possible link between CJ\({}_{30}\) and performance in CrossFit\({}^{\circledR}\). An important finding of this study was that athletes in the FG had significantly lower percentage body fat compared to athletes in the SG. Studies support that systematic CrossFit\({}^{\circledR}\) training leads to a significant reduction in percentage body fat, while it can significantly improve health-related fitness factors [1; 18; 35]. Indeed, a recent study investigated the body fat differences between advanced and recreational CrossFit\({}^{\circledR}\) athletes and found that advanced athletes had lower percentage body fat compared to their recreational counterparts [18]. These results are strengthened by the large positive correlation between the FRAN time-trial and percentage body fat found in the current study. Although body fat may be a limiting factor of performance in the FRAN time-trial, other factors, like the technique of the exercises, the neuromuscular condition of the athlete during the test, or the training experience of the athlete, may influence time-trial performance in FRAN. Nevertheless, the results of the current study may suggest that athletes should focus on reducing percentage body fat to enhance their performance in the FRAN time-trial. Significant differences were observed for CMJ between the FG and SG. More specifically, the FG had greater CMJ height and power relative to body mass compared to the SG. A study on wrestlers showed that systematic training with the CINDY workout may lead to a significant increase in CMJ height compared to wresting practice alone [36]. In addition, a study which compared high and low performers in CrossFit\({}^{\circledR}\) found significant differences in squat jump but not in CMJ in contrast to the findings of the present study, probably due to the different level of the participants [5]. However, CMJ height was significantly correlated with overall performance in CrossFit\({}^{\circledR}\) with workouts which included exercises like thrusters, squats, or rope double-unders [5]. Similarly, the results from the current study showed significant correlations between all CMJ variables and the FRAN time-trial. Consequently, performance in CMJ combined with Cl30 may provide useful information to coaches regarding the lower body power condition, as well as the athletes' anaerobic capacity. Previous studies have shown that stronger athletes may have a greater benefit with sport-specific skills compared to their weaker counterparts [20; 21; 22]. Likewise, in the present study, the FG had significantly greater 1-RM strength compared to the SG, although no differences were observed for handgrip and isometric mid-high pull tests. A previous study showed that more experienced CrossFit(r) athletes had greater 1-RM strength in the bench press; however, no difference was observed for deep full squat [5], probably because of the different level of these athletes. We can hypothesize that athletes in the FG had a greater benefit from their increased 1-RM strength, which may partially lead to a higher time-trial performance in FRAN. Several studies on CrossFit(r) athletes have found significant correlations between the FRAN time-trial with 1-RM strength and CrossFit(r) total [4; 6; 23]. However, these studies included both male and female athletes, which might influence the correlation results.