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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-06-2019 | Original Article

Acute effects of different set configurations during a strength-oriented resistance training session on barbell velocity and the force–velocity relationship in resistance-trained males and females

Authors: Alejandro Torrejón, Danica Janicijevic, Guy Gregory Haff, Amador García-Ramos

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Purpose

This study explored the acute effects of strength-oriented resistance training sessions performed using three different set configurations on barbell velocity and the force–velocity (F–v) relationship of upper-body muscles in men and women.

Method

Thirteen men (age: 23.8 ± 2.5 years; 6-repetition maximum [6RM] load: 73.4 ± 15.6 kg) and 13 women (age: 21.5 ± 1.4 years; 6RM load: 32.8 ± 5.2 kg) performed 24 repetitions with a 6RM load during the bench press exercise using traditional (TR: 6 sets of 4 repetitions with 3 min of rest between sets), cluster (CL: 6 sets of 4 repetitions with 15 s of intra-set rest every two repetitions and 2 min and 45 s of rest between sets) and inter-repetition rest (IRR: 1 set of 24 repetitions with 39 s of rest between repetitions) set configurations. The F–v relationship parameters [maximum force (F₀), maximum velocity (v₀) and maximum power (P_max)] were determined before and after each training session.

Results

The average training velocity did not differ between the three set configurations (p = 0.234), but the IRR set configuration generally provided higher velocities during the last repetition of each set. Significant decreases in F₀ (p = 0.001) and P_max (p = 0.024) but not in v₀ (p = 0.669) were observed after the training sessions. Comparable velocity loss was observed for men and women (− 12.1% vs. − 11.3%; p = 0.699).

Conclusions

The administration of very short intra-set rest periods does not allow for the attainment of higher velocities than traditional set configurations during strength-oriented resistance training sessions conducted with the bench press exercise when the work-to-rest ratio is equated.

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Title: Acute effects of different set configurations during a strength-oriented resistance training session on barbell velocity and the force–velocity relationship in resistance-trained males and females
Authors: Alejandro Torrejón
Danica Janicijevic
Guy Gregory Haff
Amador García-Ramos
Publication date: 01-06-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04131-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Acute effects of different set configurations during a strength-oriented resistance training session on barbell velocity and the force–velocity relationship in resistance-trained males and females

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

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