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Effects of cluster training sets on muscle power and force–velocity relationship in postmenopausal women

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the higher load resistance training with a cluster training sets (CS) design maximizes muscle power and strength gains when compared to higher load resistance training with a traditional sets (TS) design in postmenopausal women (PW).

Methods

Each leg of 16 PW was randomly allocated into two groups: TS (n = 16 legs) and CS (n = 16 legs). Both groups performed three sets of four repetitions at 90% one repetition maximum (1RM), 3 s per muscle action, with a 1.5-min rest interval between sets, twice-weekly, for 8 weeks. Only CS group performed 30 s interrepetition rest periods.

Results

Both groups similarly increased (P < 0.05) thigh muscle mass, muscle strength (1RM), and maximal muscle power. However, whereas the CS increased (P < 0.05) peak power at 40% and theoretical maximal velocity (V0), the TS increase theoretical maximal force (F0). The TS reduced slope of the force–velocity relationship when compared to the CS.

Conclusions

Although both CS and TS design are similarly effective at improving muscle mass and strength and Pmax, TS and CS induce different changes in the force–velocity profile (Sfv) in PW. Thus, our findings suggest that TS may be a preferential RT design if the focus of training is a force–velocity profile more “force-oriented”, whereas CS may be a preferential RT design if the focus of training is a force–velocity profile more “velocity-oriented”.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil (CAPES, Code 001) and Fundação de Amparo e Pesquisa de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Biology Research Group (BioEx), Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Marcelo A. S. Carneiro, Gersiel N. de Oliveira Júnior, Jairo F. R. de Sousa, Samarita B. Santagnello, Markus V. C. Souza & Fábio Lera Orsatti

  2. Department of Sport Sciences, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Markus V. C. Souza & Fábio Lera Orsatti

  3. Post Graduate Program in Physical Education, Exercise Biology Research Laboratory (BioEx), Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Avenue Tutunas, 490, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, CEP 38061-500, Brazil

    Fábio Lera Orsatti

Authors
  1. Marcelo A. S. Carneiro
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  2. Gersiel N. de Oliveira Júnior
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  3. Jairo F. R. de Sousa
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  5. Markus V. C. Souza
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  6. Fábio Lera Orsatti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fábio Lera Orsatti.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical approval

The study was given by the University Review Board for the Use of Human Subjects (no. 2.654.326, approved by the local Ethics Committee) and was written in accordance with the standards set by the Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all individual women included in the study.

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Carneiro, M.A.S., de Oliveira Júnior, G.N., de Sousa, J.F.R. et al. Effects of cluster training sets on muscle power and force–velocity relationship in postmenopausal women. Sport Sci Health 16, 257–265 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00599-1

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