Acute mechanical, physiological and perceptual responses in older men to traditional-set or different cluster-set configuration resistance training protocols

Abstract

Purpose The aims of this study were to compare mechanical outputs (i.e. power and impulse), physiological (i.e. heart rate) and perceptual (i.e. effort and fatigue) responses in older men to traditional-set or different cluster-set configuration resistance training protocols. Methods In a randomized cross-over design, 20 healthy old men (aged 67.2 ± 2.1 years) completed four resistance training sessions using the back squat exercise loaded with optimal power loads. Training configurations were: traditional (TRA), three sets of six repetitions with 120-s rest between each set; Cluster-set 1 (CLU1), 24 single-repetition clusters with 10 s of rest after every cluster; Cluster-set 2 (CLU2), 12 double-repetition clusters with 20-s rest after every cluster; and Cluster-set 4 (CLU4), 6 quadruple-repetition clusters with 40-s rest after every cluster. Results Cluster-set configurations resulted in greater power outputs compared to traditional-set configuration (range 2.6–9.2%, all p$$\le$$ ≤ 0.07 for main effect and protocol $$\times$$ × set interactions). CLU1 and CLU2 induced higher heart rate (range 7.1–10.5%, all p < 0.001 for main effect and protocol $$\times$$ × set interactions), lower rating of perceived exertion (range − 1.3 to − 3.2 AU, all p$$\le$$ ≤ 0.006 for pairwise comparisons) and lower ratings of fatigue (range − 0.15 to − 4 AU, all p$$\le$$ ≤ 0.012 for pairwise comparisons) compared to TRA and CLU4. Finally, an absolute preference for CLU2 was reported. Conclusions Findings presented here support the prescription of CLU2 as an optimal resistance training configuration for trained older men using the back squat.

Personalizing Resistance Training Mitigates Neuromuscular and Perceived Fatigue: The Autoregulation Cluster Training Method

“…Then, the load-velocity relationships were assessed following the protocol described elsewhere. 19 Subjects were given a passive rest of 10 min between the two relationship assessments. Barbell velocity was recorded during the concentric phase of each repetition using a linear encoder sampling at 1000 Hz (Chronojump, Barcelona, Spain).…”

“…Barbell velocity was recorded during the concentric phase of each repetition using a linear encoder sampling at 1000 Hz (Chronojump, Barcelona, Spain). The greatest mean propulsive velocity values were then used to model the load-velocity relationships 19 and determine the 1RMs, whereby we calculated the individual 75% 1RM loads to use in the resistance training sessions.…”

Similar strength gains at lower perceived efforts via cluster set vs. traditional home-based online training: A 6 weeks randomized controlled trial

“…It was speculated, that lower lactate levels and lower levels of muscle pain in turn led to a lower rating of perceived effort (Guardado et al, 2021 ). Moreover, for TRT a greater impulse and lower power output was found for the same number of repetitions per set (Dello Iacono et al, 2020 ). Therefore, conduction strength training in a CT design might be more suited for older individuals.…”

“…Comparing CT configurations to work-load-matched TRT in both younger, strength-training-experienced adults (Guardado et al, 2021 ) and older healthy men (Dello Iacono et al, 2020 ) has led to lower RPE. It was speculated, that lower lactate levels and lower levels of muscle pain in turn led to a lower rating of perceived effort (Guardado et al, 2021 ).…”

Study protocol: investigating the feasibility of a hybrid delivery of home-based cluster set resistance training for individuals previously treated for lung cancer

“…Cluster sets generally refer to the inclusion of intra-set rest periods (i.e., additional rest during the set itself) [ 12 ]. Essentially, cluster sets may allow for reduced levels of fatigue at similar loads of training or enable individuals to perform a greater volume/quantity of training with similar levels of fatigue.…”