Feasibility and preliminary functional, physical, and psychosocial effects of high-intensity functional training for adults with mobility disabilities.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility and initial health effects on functional, physical, and psychosocial outcomes of a community-based, 12-week high-intensity functional training (HIFT) intervention for adults with mobility disabilities.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A single-group, pre-post design with assessments at baseline and post-intervention. Twelve participants (75% female; 37-74 years) with mobility disabilities.

INTERVENTION: Twelve-week, thrice-weekly community-based HIFT program.

MEASURES: Feasibility was assessed via recruitment, retention, and adherence. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) evaluated self-report physical function, while physical health outcomes comprised fitness, strength, flexibility, and weight-related assessments. Psychosocial measures included quality of life (QOL), self-efficacy, and perceived barriers. Energy expenditure via portable indirect calorimetry and exit interviews captured participant experiences.

ANALYSIS: Feasibility was reported as percentages; descriptive statistics and effect sizes were calculated for functional, physical, and psychosocial outcomes. Thematic analysis identified themes from transcriptions.

RESULTS

Recruitment was 51%, retention was 83%, and attendance was 77.5%, with one adverse event. Cohen's d effect sizes indicated improvements in function (d = 0.93-1.04), fitness (d = 0.65-1.59), flexibility (d = 0.36-0.64), BMI (d = 0.32), QOL (d = 1.04), self-efficacy (d = 1.03), and barriers to health behavior (d = 0.48). Participants reported high satisfaction and community support following the intervention. Energy expenditure averaged 154.65 (65.5) kcals/session and 86.13 (42) kcals during exercise.

CONCLUSION

A community-based HIFT program for individuals with mobility disabilities is feasible; however, the small sample size limits the ability to attribute changes to the intervention.

CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: HIFT for People with Mobility-Related Disabilities (Research GO); NCT05516030.