Effects Of Cluster Sets On Post-activation Performance Enhancement In Blood Flow Restricted High-intensity Resistance Exercise

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) could be elicited using cluster sets (CS) during high-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) in male collegiate athletes. METHODS: Fifteen resistance-trained male subjects (age:19.9 ± 2.4 yrs; body mass: 71.4 ± 10.4 kg, and height: 176.5 ± 4.9 cm) participated in a randomized, cross-over study. Following familiarization with protocol, participants performed a parallel back squat at 80% of their 1-repetition maximum (RM) with BFR under two conditions: A) control (CON): traditional set with continuous repetitions, consisting of 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 180 seconds of rest between each rest; B) Cluster set (CS): CS consisting of 5 sets of 8 repetitions, with 36-second rest after every 4 repetitions and a 90-second inter-set rest interval. The CMJ vertical jump height (VJH), relater peak power (RPP), blood lactate level (BL),electromyography (EMG) of dominant-leg, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed at baseline (pre-exercise) and at 0, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-minutes post-exercise for each condition. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, VJH and PP were increased at 0 min for CS (10.3 ± 10.2%, p = 0.008, d = 0.48; 4.7 ± 4.3%, p = 0.005, d = 0.37, respectively). Immediately after (0 min), VJH and PP were higher for CS compared to CON (40.2 ± 7.7 cm, p = 0.007, d = 1.1; 48.82 W/kg, p = 0.001, d = 0.7, respectively). BL was consistently lower observed for CS compared to CON at each time point (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the conditions for RPE and EMG activity after trails (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: CS offers a practical approach to enhancing vertical jump power during high-intensity resistance exercise combined with blood flow restriction.