Test Categories
Competitive Programming in International Functional Fitness Medley Style Competitions follows the following methodology:
- The tests are known in characteristics (i.e the categories or capacities being tested stay constant) but are unknown in demand (i.e. the actual movements, repetitions, loads, time domains, etc. being tested change at each competition).
- The tests are created with the intention of allowing athletes to perform to their max potential.
- The tests for the World Championships are initially created by the Programming Committee.
- All tests themselves are then performed and tested for safety, reliability, and response elicited well in advance of the competition date.
- The final testing protocol for the competition is sent to the Board of Directors for final approval.
Individual Medley
The Individual Medley is a 2 to 3 day individual functional fitness competitive format. At the International level this format contains six (6) tests of fitness across a standardized set of categories. The capacities tested in the Individual Medley are Endurance, Strength, Bodyweight, Skill, Mixed, and Power. A brief description of each category can be found below.
Note: Juniors do not perform Power and Skill. For details about juniors, read our section on youth.
Endurance
This test contains movements designed to showcase aerobic capacity. It tests the athlete’s ability to sustain a pace for an extended period of time.
Strength
This test contains strength work with weights. It tests the athlete’s timing, coordination, and athleticism while working under a heavy load.
Bodyweight
This test contains bodyweight movements paired with other aerobically challenging movements. It tests the athlete’s ability to complete a high number of repetitions quickly.
Skill
This test contains advanced skill work. It tests the athlete’s pacing ability, range of motion, skill, and core control.
Mixed
This tests contains a variety of tasks and challenges. It may include bodyweight, strength, and endurance type movements all mixed together. It tests the athlete’s ability to transition between movements, perform movement variations, control pacing, and handle load variations.
Power
This test contains a lot of work to be performed quickly in a short time frame. It tests the athlete’s ability to execute movements quickly with a proper strategy in order to display speed and pure power. This test is usually less than 5 minutes long.
Team Medley
The Team Medley is a 2 to 3 day team functional fitness competitive format. At the International level this format contains six (6) tests of fitness across a standardized set of categories and teams are composed by two male and two female athletes. The capacities tested in the Team Medley are Endurance, Strength, Bodyweight, Mixed and Strategy. A brief description of each category can be found below.
Endurance
This test contains movements designed to showcase aerobic capacity. It tests the athletes’ ability to sustain a pace for an extended period of time.
Strength
This test contains strength work with weights. It tests the athletes’ timing, coordination, and athleticism while working under a heavy load
Bodyweight
This test contains bodyweight movements paired with other aerobically challenging movements. In some instances, athletes on the team may have to synchronize movements during this test.
MIXED 1
This test contains a variety of tasks and challenges. It is often performed in an interval format requiring teammates to perform one after another or in pairs.
STRATEGY
This test requires the team to formulate a unique plan in order to finish the movements fastest. This typically requires assigning each athlete on the team to a specific movement within the test.
MIXED 2
This test contains a variety of tasks and challenges. It is often performed in an interval format requiring teammates to perform one after another or in pairs.