RT Journal Article T1 Cluster sets lead to better performance maintenance and minimize training-induced fatigue than traditional sets A1 Páez-Maldonado, José Antonio A1 Cornejo Daza, Pedro Jesús A1 Sánchez-Valdepeñas Mateos-Aparicio, Juan A1 Sánchez-Moreno, Miguel A1 Piqueras-Sanchiz, Francisco A1 Ortega Becerra, Manuel Alejandro A1 Pareja Blanco, Fernando K1 Resistance training K1 Velocity-based training K1 Lactate K1 Electromyography K1 Tensiomyography AB Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects on mechanical, neuromuscular, metabolic, and muscle contractile responses to different set configurations in full-squat (SQ).Methods: Twenty-two men performed three SQ sessions that consisted of 3 sets of 12 repetitions with 60% 1RM with 4 minutes inter-set rests: a) traditional set (TS): no rest within the set; b) cluster-6 (CS6): a 30 seconds intraset rest after the 6th repetition of each set; and c) cluster-2 (CS2): a 30 seconds intraset rest every 2 repetitions. Mechanical (i.e., force, velocity, and power) and electromyography (EMG) values were recorded for every repetition. A battery of tests was performed: a) tensiomyography (TMG), b) blood lactate c), countermovement jump (CMJ), d) maximal isometric SQ, and e) performance with the load that resulted in a velocity of 1 m·s−1 at baseline (V1-load). Repeated measured ANOVA analyses were used to compare the 3 protocols.Results: As the number of intraset rests increased (TS < CS6 < CS2), mechanical performance was better maintained (p < 0.01) and EMG variables were less altered (p = 0.05). At post, CS2 and CS6 displayed lower lactate concentration, lesser reductions in CMJ height, and smaller alterations in TMG-derived variables than TS (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The introduction of short and frequent intraset rest periods during resistance exercise alleviates training-induced fatigue, resulting in better maintenance of performance. This approach can be applied during the in-season period when minimizing fatigue is a priority.1 Introduction PB Frontiers YR 2024 FD 2024 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/27249 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/27249 LA en NO Páez-Maldonado JA, Cornejo-Daza PJ, Sánchez-Valdepeñas J, Sánchez-Moreno M, Piqueras-Sanchiz F, Ortega-Becerra M and Pareja-Blanco F (2024) Cluster sets lead to better performance maintenance and minimize training-induced fatigue than traditional sets. Front. Sports Act. Living 6:1467348. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1467348 NO Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Deporte e Informática DS RIO RD Aug 5, 2026