Metabolic Flexibility and Longevity

In this panel from the 2022 CrossFit Games, Naomi Parrella, MD, joins Chris Hinshaw, Thomas DeLauer, Kristi Storoschuck, and Mike Giardina to take a deep dive into understanding metabolic flexibility. Metabolic flexibility refers to the body’s ability to alter fuel sources based on metabolic demands. This metabolic state is somewhat innate to humans, but the current food climate — characterized by excessive consumption of addictive, readily available processed foods — has disrupted our natural ability to utilize all fuel sources to accomplish work.

The panelists approach this problem from multiple perspectives, including coaching, clinical practice, personal experience, and research. Using their various areas of expertise, they address how our ability to utilize all fuel sources affects things like performance, exercise recovery, rehabilitation from injury, and immune function.

Affiliate owners, coaches, and athletes will walk away from this discussion with a better understanding of the two main tools for improving metabolic flexibility — nutrition and exercise. They’ll also learn more about why improved metabolic flexibility can lead to improvements in both performance and health outcomes.