The origin of what has been named as functional training may be related to the approximation of physical activity with nutrition and medicine, from the perspective of joint multidisciplinary approach, contributing to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. But over the years, the concepts and characteristics associated with functional training have varied. From balance and proprioception training to the exclusive use of certain portable materials or body weight. In an attempt to clear up some confusion and help consumers understand what they buy, work was carried out that resulted in the recent publication of a consensus paper . The panel involved in this work, which lasted approximately three years, from the preliminary meetings until the publication of the paper, included 13 physical exercise experts, from different countries, with extensive practical experience and numerous publications in their areas of expertise. The work they developed highlighted several issues and characteristics associated with the concept of functional training, namely redundancy, specificity, individualization, human performance, daily life, preparation, physical fitness components, health and rehabilitation, and mimicry. Taking this into account, the panel proposed the following definition for functional training: “ Functional training is a physical approach that contributes to the improvement of human performance according to individual goals in sport, daily life, rehabilitation or fitness and takes into account the specificity of the task and the unique response capacity of each individual. ” However, despite the consensus among panel members regarding this definition of functional training, to avoid distinctions between functional training and the broader concept of physical training, most panel members highlighted the potential redundancy of the definition. Thus, as functionality is a key component of all prescribed physical exercises, it is recommended that the reference to functional be evaluated considering the alignment of training with individual needs, characteristics and objectives. So, what to expect from so-called functional training sessions? Exactly the same as any other well-designed training session, which aims to maximize the body's functional capacity associated with a particular activity or function . It does not depend on machines, or any other type of gadget, but on the alignment between what is proposed to be done in these sessions and the characteristics and objectives of each person. Source Pereira HV, Teixeira DS, Fisher J, et al. International consensus on the definition of functional training: Modified e-Delphi method. J Sports Sci 2025. Author : Hugo Vieira Pereira (exercise physiology ) Meet the sports medicine center clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
