Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Clusters NSCA
Clusters NSCA
Inter‐Repetition Rest (IRR), Intra‐
set Rest (ISR), and Cluster Sets
(CLU): Evidence for Maximizing
Muscular Power
Jonathan M. Oliver, Ph.D., CSCS
Assistant Professor
Texas Christian University,
Fort Worth, TX
• Definition
• Physiological Basis
• Early Research
• Acute Response to CLU
• Long Term Response to CLU
• Conclusions & Practical Application
• Questions
TOPICS
1
5/15/2013
DEFINITION
Inter‐Repetition, Intra‐Set, and
Inter‐Set Rest
• Inter‐repetition rest (IRR)
– Rest between repetitions
• Intra‐set rest (ISR)
– Rest between groups (clusters) of repetitions
within a set
• Inter‐set rest
– Rest between sets
Lawton T, Cronin J, Drinkwater E, Lindsell R, and Pyne D. The effect of continuous repetition training and intra‐set
rest training on bench press strength and power. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 44: 361‐367, 2004.
Cluster Sets (CLU)
Set which contains rest between
each repetition (IRR) or cluster of
repetitions (ISR)
Typically utilized at higher intensities
(75‐95% 1RM)
4‐6 sets Verkhoshansky Y and Siff M. Supertraining. Rome:
Verkhoshansky, 2009.
2
5/15/2013
Examples of Cluster Set
Configurations
Traditional (TRD)
Rep 1 Rep 2 Rep 3 Rep 4 Rep 5 Rep 6 2 min X 4
Cluster Sets (CLU)
PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS
Past
Progressive decline in maximum
isometric force during repeated tetani
3
5/15/2013
Velocity Declines
When Repetitions
Performed
Continuously
Significant reduction in
velocity when the
number of repetitions
was over ⅓ (34%) and
½ (48%) of the total
number of repetitions
performed for bench
press and back squat,
respectively
Izquierdo M, Gonzalez‐Badillo JJ, Häkkinen K, Ibanez J,
Kraemer WJ, Altadill A, Eslava J, and Gorostiaga EM. Effect
of loading on unintentional lifting velocity declines during
singles sets of repetitions to failure during upper and
lower extremity muscle actions. Int J Sports Med 27: 718‐
724, 2005.
Present
Decrease in power output, recognizes
that fatigue can result from a reduction in
Debold EP. Recent insights into the molecular basis of muscular fatigue. Med Sci
either force or velocity Sports Exerc 44: 1440‐1452, 2012.
Allen DG, Lamb GD, and Westerblad H. Skeletal muscle fatigue: Cellular
mechanisms. Physiol Rev 88: 287‐332, 2008.
Causes of Fatigue
• Acidosis
• Disassociation of hydrogen ions
from lactate often associated
with decrease in force
• Number of studies have
demonstrated not the cause
• Inorganic phosphate (Pi)
• Increases during contraction
mainly from breakdown of PCr
• Released in the transition from
low force, weakly attached
state, to high force state,
strongly attached state
• Research limited
• Adenine diphosphate (ADP)
• Increases during repeated
contractions coincident with PCr
depletion
• Partial recovery of shortening Debold EP. Recent insights into the molecular basis of muscular fatigue. Med Sci
velocity linked to removal of Sports Exerc 44: 1440‐1452, 2012.
ADP by enzyme action or Allen DG, Lamb GD, and Westerblad H. Skeletal muscle fatigue: Cellular
diffusion mechanisms. Physiol Rev 88: 287‐332, 2008.
• Experiments on skinned fibers
show a major inhibitory effect
on velocity of shortening
4
5/15/2013
Harris RC, Edwards RHT, Hultman E, Nordesjo LO, Nylind B, and Sahlin K. The time
course of phosphorylcreatine resynthesis during recovery of the quadriceps
muscle in man. Pfluegers Arch 367: 137‐142, 1976.
Time course of PCr resynthesis is fairly
rapid
Hypothetical Model
• Haff et al. (2003) presented first
hypothetical model in scientific
literature
• Later suggested inclusion 15‐30
second rest would allow partial
replenishment of PCr
• Debate on the cause of fatigue
still exists
• Current theories all suggest
inclusion of 15‐30 seconds rest
would enhance the ability to
maintain both
• Force
• Velocity
Haff GG, Whitley A, McCoy LB, O'Bryant HS, Kilgore JL, Haff EE, Pierce K, and Stone
MH. Effects of different set configurations on barbell velocity and displacement
during a clean pull. J Strength Cond Res 17: 95‐103, 2003.
Haff GG, Hobbs RT, Haff EE, Sands WA, Pierce KC, and Stone MH. Cluster training:
A novel method for introducing training program variation. Strength Cond J 30:
67‐76, 2008.
Early Research Supports the Use of Cluster Sets
EARLY RESEARCH
5
5/15/2013
Isometric Strength and CLU
• 9 (n = 9) Untrained
subjects
• Exercise of elbow
flexors
• Protocols
– TRD
– CLU 30 seconds IRR
• % Change in isometric
strength
Rooney KJ, Herbert RD, and Balnave RJ. Fatigue contributes to the strength
training stimulus. Med Sci Sports Exerc 26: 1160‐1164, 1994.
‐10.4± 8.8%
‐20.2 ± 15.2%
Less reduction in isometric force
following CLU
Strength Training and CLU
• Forty‐two (n = 42) untrained males and females
• Dynamic and isometric strength of elbow flexors
• Training
– 3 days ∙ week‐1
– 6 weeks
– Exercise of elbow flexors
– 6 to 10 sets of 6RM
• Protocol
– TRD
– CLU 30 seconds IRR
6
5/15/2013
Strength Gains and CLU
No difference in isometric Smaller gains in dynamic strength
strength following training in CLU
Physical Work Capacity and CLU
• Fifty (n = 50) untrained males
• Bench press and leg press strength
• Physical work capacity at 170 beats ∙ minute‐1 arm cranking exercise
• Training
– 3 days ∙ week‐1
– 10 weeks
– Circuit training
• 3 sets
• 6 to 10 repetitions
• 6 stations
• Intervention Byrd R, Centry R, and Boatwright D. Effect of inter‐repetition rest intervals in circuit weight
training on PWC170 during arm‐cranking exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 28: 336‐340, 1988.
– TRD
– 1 second IRR
– 2 second IRR
Greater physical work capacity following
training in CLU
No difference in strength gains
7
5/15/2013
Peak Isokinetic Torque and CLU
• Twenty‐three (n = 23) recreationally active males and females with no history of lower body
strength training
• Strength, isometric strength, angle‐torque, and peak isokinetic torque
• Training
• 3 days ∙ week ‐1
• 9 weeks
• Leg extension exercise
• ~73% 1RM
• Intervention
• TRD = 4 sets of 10 with 30 seconds inter‐set rest
• CLU = 4 sets of 10 with 30 seconds IRR and 30 seconds inter‐set rest
• Peak isokinetic torque
Folland JP, Irish CS, Roberts JC, Tarr JE, and Jones DA. Fatigue is not a necessary stimulus for
strength gains during resistance training. Br J Sports Med 36: 370‐373, 2002.
Greater high velocity strength gains following
training in CLU
• Non‐significant tendency (p<0.10) towards greater high
velocity strength gains in CLU.
• Similar gains observed in all other variables measured
Early Study Limitations
• Relatively untrained subjects
• Use of single joint, isolation
exercises
– Unlikely these types of
exercises utilized in athlete
training programs
– The ability to generate power
is dependent on movement
involved
• Studies sought to determine Newton RU, Kraemer WJ, Hakkinen K, Humphries B, and Murphy AJ. Kinematics, kinetics and
Cormie P, McGuigan MR, and Newton RU. Developing maximal neuromuscular power: Part 2
measured
8
5/15/2013
Varying Exercise Types
Metabolic, Hormonal and Ratings of Perceived Exertion
ACUTE EFFECTS OF CLUSTER SETS
Traditional Resistance
Training Exercises
• Improvements in maximal power
output of sport specific
movements, but attributed to
• Hypertrophy
• Increased neural drive
• Limited to untrained or those with
relatively low initial strength
levels
• Novice
• Endurance athletes
• If greater velocities achieved
could result in enhancement of
muscular power long term
Stone ME, Johnson R, and Carter D. A short term comparison of two different methods of
resistive training on leg strength and power. Athl Train 14: 158‐160, 1979.
Stowers T, McMillan J, Scala D, Davis V, Wilson D, and Stone M. The short‐term effects of three
different strength‐power training methods. Strength & Conditioning Journal 5: 24‐27, 1983.
Wilson G, Murphy AJ, and Walshe AD. Performance benefits from weight and plyometric
training: Effects of initial strength level. Coaching Sport Sci J 2: 3‐8, 1997.
Young WB and Bilby GE. The effect of voluntary effort to influence speed of contraction on
strength, muscular power, and hypertrophy development. The Journal of Strength &
Conditioning Research 7: 172‐178, 1993.
Häkkinen K, Kallinen M, Izquierdo M, Jokelainen K, Lassila H, Mälkiä E, Kraemer WJ, Newton
RU, and Alen M. Changes in agonist‐antagonist EMG, muscle CSA, and force during strength
training in middle‐aged and older people. Journal of Applied Physiology 84: 1341‐1349, 1998.
Bench Press Power Output
• Twenty‐six (n = 26) elite junior
male basketball and soccer
players
• 6RM Bench press determination
• Power output during 1 set of 6
repetitions (TRD)
• Protocols (equated for time)
• CLU Singles = 20 seconds IRR
• CLU Doubles = 50 seconds ISR
• CLU Triples = 100 seconds ISR
Lawton TW, Cronin JB, and Lindsell RP. Effect of interrepetition rest intervals on weight
training repetition power output. J Strength Cond Res 20: 172‐176, 2006.
9
5/15/2013
Near Linear Decrease
Greater Power Output During
Bench Press
• All CLU had net effect of ↑total power output by 21‐25%
over TRD
• No significant difference between CLU groups
• All CLU configurations equally advantageous at intensities of
6RM or ~85% 1RM
Olympic Weightlifting
Exercises
• Often prescribed due to the
similarity in movement patterns
and the relationship between
power output between these lifts
and those of athletic movements.
• Thus, any training stimuli that
results in an increased power
output during performance of
Olympic weightlifting movements
would hypothetically elicit further
improvements in power output Canavan PK, Garrett GE, and Armstrong LE. Kinematic and kinetic relationships between an Olympic‐style lift and
the vertical jump. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 10: 127‐130, 1996.
during athletic movements.
Carlock JM, Smith SL, Hartman MJ, Moris RT, Ciroslan DA, Pierce KC, Newton RU, Harman EA, Sands WA, and
Stone MH. The relationship between vertical jump power estimates and weightlifting ability: A field‐test
approach. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 18: 534‐539, 2004.
Garhammer J and Gregor R. Propulsion forces as a function of intensity for weightlifting and vertical jumping. The
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 6: 129‐134, 1992.
Hori N, Newton RU, Andrews WA, Kawamori N, McGuigan MR, and Nosaka K. Does performance of hang power
clean differentiate performance of jumping, sprinting, and changing of direction? The Journal of Strength &
Conditioning Research 22: 412‐418 410.1519/JSC.1510b1013e318166052b, 2008.
Hori N, Newton RU, Nosaka K, and Stone MH. Weightlifting exercises enhance athletic performance that requires
high‐load speed strength. Strength & Conditioning Journal 27: 50‐55, 2005.
10
5/15/2013
Clean Pull Barbell Velocity and
Displacement
• Thirteen (n = 13) male athletes all having
competed in Olympic weightlifting
• Testing and study protocol integrated
into training schedule
• 1RM clean pull determination
• Velocity, displacement, and power during
clean pull
• Protocols
– TRD = 1 set of 5 repetitions
– CLU = 1 set of 5 repetitions with 30 seconds IRR
– Undulating CLU (UND) = 1 set of 5 repetitions
with 30 second IRR
• Intensity
– 90% 1RM
– 120% 1RM
Haff GG, Whitley A, McCoy LB, O'Bryant HS, Kilgore JL, Haff EE, Pierce K, and Stone MH. Effects
of different set configurations on barbell velocity and displacement during a clean pull. J
Strength Cond Res 17: 95‐103, 2003.
• CLU resulted in greater peak velocity at 90 and 120% 1RM
• CLU resulted in greater barbell displacements at 120% 1RM and approached
significance at 90% 1RM
• Trend observed whereas, peak velocity declined with each successive
repetition using traditional set
• No difference in peak power between TRD and CLU protocols
Greater Peak Velocity and Peak
Displacement During Clean Pull
11
5/15/2013
Power Clean Technique
• Ten (n = 10) male recreational
weightlifters
• 1 RM Power clean
determination
• Horizontal and vertical
displacement during multiple
sets of power clean
• Optimal load or 80% 1RM
• 3 Sets of 6 repetitions with 3
minutes inter‐set rest
• TRD = No IRR (PO)
• CLU = 20 seconds IRR (P20)
• CLU = 40 seconds IRR(P40)
Hardee JP, Lawrence MM, Zwetsloot KA, Triplett NT, Utter AC, and McBride JM. Effect of
cluster set configurations on power clean technique. J Sports Sci 31: 488‐496, 2013.
Cormie P, McCaulley GO, Triplett NT, and McBride JM. Optimal loading for maximal power
output during lower‐body resistance exercises. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39: 340‐349, 2007.
• Peak vertical displacement decreased 7.3% from repetition 1 to
repetition 6 with PO
• No differences in peak vertical displacements from repetition 1 to
repetitions 6 in either IRR (P20 or P40)
Greater Maintenance of Vertical
Displacement Over Successive
Repetitions During Power Clean
Power Clean Peak Force, Velocity,
and Power
• Ten (n = 10) male recreational
weightlifters
• 1 RM Power clean determination
• Peak force, velocity, and power
during multiple sets
• Optimal load or 80% 1RM
• 3 Sets of 6 repetitions with 3
minutes inter‐set rest
• TRD = No IRR (PO)
• CLU = 20 seconds IRR (P20)
• CLU = 40 seconds IRR(P40)
Hardee JP, Triplett NT, Utter AC, Zwetsloot KA, and McBride JM. Effect of inter‐repetition rest
on power output in the power clean. J Strength Cond Res 26: 883‐889, 2012.
Cormie P, McCaulley GO, Triplett NT, and McBride JM. Optimal loading for maximal power
output during lower‐body resistance exercises. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39: 340‐349, 2007.
12
5/15/2013
Greater Peak Force During Power
Clean
• Peak force from
repetition 1 to
repetition 6
– ‐7.34% PO
– ‐2.67% P20
– 0.04% P40
• Similar trend observed
when evaluating
individual sets
Greater Peak Velocity During
Power Clean
• Peak velocity from
repetition 1 to
repetition 6
– ‐10.21% PO
– ‐3.76% P20
– ‐1.70% P40
• Again, similar trends
observed when
evaluating individual
sets
Greater Peak Power
Output During
Power Clean
• Peak power from
repetition 1 to repetition 6
• ‐7.51% PO
• ‐2.56% P20
• ‐1.81% P40
• Summary
• Largest decrements
observed in force,
velocity and power
occurred with PO
• No significant
differences observed
between P20 and P40
• Similar results observed
over each set and
repetitions per set
13
5/15/2013
Ballistic Exercises
• Greater improvements in ability to
generate maximal power output
during sports specific movements
• Not limited to training with optimal
load, thus both low‐ and high‐load
training demonstrate improvements
in maximal power output
• Recommended for training for
enhancement of muscular power
output
Wilson GJ, Newton RU, Murphy AJ, and Humphries BJ. The optimal training load for the
development of dynamic athletic performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25: 1279‐1286, 1993.
McBride JM, Triplett‐McBride T, Davie A, and Newton RU. The effect of heavy‐ vs. light‐load
jump squats on the development of strength, power, and speed. The Journal of Strength &
Conditioning Research 16: 75‐82, 2002.
Newton RU, Kraemer WJ, and Hakkinen K. Effects of ballistic training on preseason preparation
of elite volleyball players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31: 323‐330, 1999.
Ballistic Jump Squats Peak
Force, Velocity, and Power
• Twenty (n = 20) professional and
semi‐professional rugby players
• Peak force, velocity, and power
during 40 kg ballistic jump squats
• Protocols
• TRD = 4 sets of 6 repetitions
with 3 minutes inter‐set rest
• CLU Singles = 4 sets of 6 with 12
seconds IRR and 2 minutes inter‐
set rest
• CLU Doubles 4 sets of 3 doubles
with 30 seconds ISR
• CLU Triples = 4 sets of 2 triples
with 60 seconds ISR and 2
minutes inter‐set rest
Hansen KT, Cronin JB, and Newton MJ. The effect of cluster loading on force, velocity, and
power output during ballistic jump squat training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 6: 455‐468,
2011.
Peak Force and
Velocity
• Peak force and velocity
decreased from
repetition 1 to all
subsequent repetition
in TRD
• No difference in
velocity from repetition
1 to any other
repetition in the Singles
14
5/15/2013
• TRD resulted in greatest percent decrease in peak power from
repetition 1 (‐6.0 to 11.8% repetitions 3‐6)
• Peak power significantly lower for TRD compared to all IRR and
cluster set configurations for repetitions 5 and 6 with large effect
sizes
Greater Power Output During
Ballistic Jump Squats
CMVJ Height and SLJ Distance
MID MID
Girman JC, Jones MT, Matthews TD, and Wood RJ. Acute effects of a cluster‐set protocol on
hormonal, metabolic and performance measures in resistance‐trained males. European
Journal of Sport Science: 1‐9, 2013.
15
5/15/2013
Jump performance better sustained with
CLU
Metabolic and Hormonal Response
Lower Lactate Values Following
CLU
• Blood lactate was significantly lower
immediately following performance of CLU
• No differences existed between protocols in GH
or C
16
5/15/2013
Power Clean Ratings of
Perceived Exertion and
Power Output
• Ten (n = 10) male recreational
weightlifters
• 1 RM Power clean
determination
• RPE and power output during
multiple sets of power clean
• Optimal load or 80% 1RM
• 3 Sets of 6 repetitions with 3
minutes inter‐set rest
• TRD = No IRR (PO)
• CLU = 20 seconds IRR (P20)
• CLU = 40 seconds IRR(P40)
Hardee JP, Lawrence MM, Utter AC, Triplett NT, Zwetsloot KA, and McBride JM. Effect of inter‐
repetition rest on ratings of perceived exertion during multiple sets of power clean. Eur J Appl
Physiol 112: 3141‐3147, 2012.
Cormie P, McCaulley GO, Triplett NT, and McBride JM. Optimal loading for maximal power
output during lower‐body resistance exercises. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39: 340‐349, 2007.
Lower RPE with CLU
Greater Power Output Associated
with Lower RPE with CLU
• TRD results in significant decreases in power
• No difference between CLU protocols
• RPE related to decline in power output
17
5/15/2013
LONG TERM RESPONSE TO CLU
Haff EE and Nimphius S. Training principles for power. Strength Cond J 34: 2‐12, 2012.
• Recommended approach when attempting to maximize power output
• Greater transfer of training effect
• Use of both low‐load high velocity movements and high‐load training
• Number of investigations have supported use of mixed methods approach
Mixed Methods Approach to Power
Training
Back Squat 1RM and
Ballistic Jump Squats Peak
Force, Velocity, and Power
Following Training
• Eighteen (n = 18) elite male rugby
union players
• 1RM Back squat predicted (2‐6RM
lift)
• Peak force, velocity, and power of
ballistic jump squats with 0, 20,
40, and 60 kg
• Training
• 2 days ∙ week‐1
• 8 weeks
• Mixed methods approach
• Periodized
• Intervention
• TRD
• CLU
Hansen KT, Cronin JB, Pickering SL, and Newton MJ. Does cluster loading enhance lower body
power development in preseason preparation of elite rugby union players? J Strength Cond
Res 25: 2118‐2126, 2011.
18
5/15/2013
Smaller strength gains following training with CLU
• 18.3% vs. 14.6% with TRD and CLU, respectively
• However, effect sizes were large for both interventions (1.0‐2.2)
19
5/15/2013
Authors suggested CLU possibly beneficial
for improving jump squat power and
velocity
SUMMARY & PRACTICAL
APPLICATION
Compared to TRD, CLU Result in ….
• Greater total power
output during bench press • Greater power output
(6RM or ~85% 1RM) during ballistic jump squats
• Greater force, velocity, • Better maintenance of
power, and vertical jump height and
displacement during distance
Olympic weightlifting exercises • Less reliance on anaerobic
<90%, and greater peak velocity glycolysis
and displacement when ≥ 90%
• Similar hormonal responses
1RM
• Maintenance of • Lower RPE
• Smaller gains in strength
technique over successive
sets and repetitions
20
5/15/2013
Practical Application
When to use…. • Power
– Traditional and Olympic
• Hypertrophy
– Greater velocity and power with
– Traditional & Olympic form maintenance
– Ideal intensity (close to optimal – Mixed methods approach
loading) • Low‐load
– Maintains form while improving • High‐load
velocity and power output
When to use judgment….
• Strength/Power • Strength phase
– Traditional and Olympic
– However, advanced athletes may
– Allows ability to maintain intensity benefit from use of CLU with ballistic
– Mixed methods approach movements
• Low‐load high velocity • Other non‐power related training
• High‐load high velocity (i.e. high intensity volume training)
• TRD and CLU
Jonathan M. Oliver
jonathan.oliver@tcu.edu
QUESTIONS
21