Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 MSc Student of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
2 Professor at Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
3 Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
4 Ph.D of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aim: Increased fatigue and incomplete recovery can lead to reduced force production during resistance training, ultimately impairing optimal muscle performance. However, incorporating intra-set rest periods through the cluster set method may address this issue. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of cluster and traditional resistance training on hormonal changes and muscle function in active young men. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 active young men were non-randomly divided into three groups of control (n=10), traditional resistance training (n=10) and cluster resistance training (n=10). Cluster and traditional resistance training consisted of eight weeks, three sessions per week, approximately 70 min in each session, an intensity of 75-80% of one-repetition maximum, and the number of repetitions until failure. indicators of hypertrophy (cross-sectional area of arm and thigh muscles), physical fitness (muscular strength and endurance in the bench press and leg press) and muscle growth-related hormones (insulin-like growth factor-1, testosterone and cortisol) were measured with valid methods in two phases, pre-and post-test. Analysis of covariance was used to compare dependent variables between groups at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: After eight weeks of training, muscular strength in bench press and leg press, muscle endurance in bench press and leg press, cross-sectional area of arm and thigh muscles, insulin-like growth factor-1, testosterone and the testosterone to cortisol ratio increased significantly in the cluster and traditional resistance training groups compared to the control group (p<0.05) and on the other hand, cortisol showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between cluster and traditional resistance training in these indicators (p>0.05). Conclusion: The cluster resistance training does not provide a significant advantage over traditional resistance training in altering hormonal responses and improving muscular performance in young men.
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