Traditional Versus Cluster Resistance Training in Striking Combat Sport Athletes

NCT07653425 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: UGR-TRG-CLG-202425KJA180002
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of traditional and cluster resistance training on neuromuscular performance in amateur striking combat sport athletes. Twenty-eight athletes completed a 6-week full-body resistance training program including squat, bench press, deadlift, and bench pull exercises. Participants were assigned to either a traditional training group, which performed repetitions continuously, or a cluster training group, which incorporated short intra-set rest periods. Neuromuscular performance was assessed before and after the intervention through countermovement jump height, medicine-ball throw distance, and load-velocity relationship variables obtained from the four resistance exercises. The study aimed to determine whether cluster resistance training provides superior neuromuscular adaptations compared with traditional resistance training when training volume and relative intensity are matched.

Conditions

Resistance Training

Keywords

sport performance; set configuration; strength training; velocity-based training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Load-velocity relationship (LVR).

  Individual LVR were determined for the squat, bench press, and bench pull exercises using a Smith machine (FFittech, Taiwan, China), whereas the deadlift exercise was performed with a hexagonal barbell. Each test started with an initial external load of 20 kg, which was progressively increased until the mean velocity (MV) of the fastest repetition differed by less than 0.30 m·s-1 from the theoretical MV associated with the 1RM of each exercise (0.30 m/s for squat, 0.15 m/s for deadlift, 0.17 m/s for bench press, and 0.50 m/s for bench pull) (Weakley et al., 2021). The load increments were adjusted according to the exercise and movement velocity to ensure an appropriate distribution of loads across the individual force-velocity spectrum. Three repetitions were performed at lighter loads, whereas only two repetitions were completed at heavier loads. A standardized rest interval of 10 seconds was provided between repetitions at the same load.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of resistance training

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Countermovement jump

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of resistance training

• Medicine ball throw (MBT).

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of resistance training

Study Arms (2)

Traditional

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants performed a 6-week full-body resistance training program consisting of squat, bench press, deadlift, and bench pull exercises. Training was conducted twice per week and included 3 sets of 8 repetitions at 75% of the individual one-repetition maximum (1RM) for each exercise. Participants completed all repetitions consecutively within each set without intra-set rest periods. Inter-set rest intervals were 3 minutes and inter-exercise rest intervals were 5 minutes.

Behavioral: Traditional

Cluster

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed the same 6-week full-body resistance training program as the traditional training group, consisting of squat, bench press, deadlift, and bench pull exercises performed twice per week. Training included 3 sets of 8 repetitions at 75% of the individual one-repetition maximum (1RM) for each exercise. The repetitions were organized into clusters of two repetitions separated by 15-second intra-set rest intervals (2 + 2 + 2 + 2 repetitions). Inter-set rest intervals were 3 minutes and inter-exercise rest intervals were 5 minutes.

Behavioral: Cluster

Interventions

Traditional BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed a 6-week full-body resistance training program consisting of squat, bench press, deadlift, and bench pull exercises. Training was performed twice weekly and included 3 sets of 8 repetitions at 75% of the individual one-repetition maximum (1RM) for each exercise. All repetitions within a set were performed consecutively without intra-set rest periods. Participants were instructed to execute the concentric phase of each repetition with maximal intended velocity.

Traditional

Cluster BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed a 6-week full-body resistance training program consisting of squat, bench press, deadlift, and bench pull exercises. Training was performed twice weekly and included 3 sets of 8 repetitions at 75% of the individual one-repetition maximum (1RM) for each exercise. Repetitions were organized into clusters of two repetitions separated by 15-second intra-set rest intervals (2 + 2 + 2 + 2 repetitions). Participants were instructed to execute the concentric phase of each repetition with maximal intended velocity.

Cluster

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy men and women aged 18 years or older. Active participation in striking combat sports (boxing, kickboxing, or karate) for at least 3 years.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience with the resistance exercises included in the study (squat, bench press, deadlift, and bench pull).
• Willingness to refrain from participating in additional strength training programs during the study period.
• Provision of written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any musculoskeletal injury during the 6 months preceding data collection.
• Any medical condition that could contraindicate participation in resistance training.
• Failure to complete the training intervention or testing procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad de Granada: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción

Concepción, Chile

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2026
• First Posted: June 17, 2026
• Study Start: September 4, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 6, 2025
• Study Completion: March 6, 2025
• Last Updated: June 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CL (1)