Does set configuration influence long-term adaptations to complex training in national-level wrestlers? A volume-matched randomized trial
Yueqiang Ma, Pengpeng Gou, Yuxiong Huang, Jialiang Yu, Lijia Zhou, Kai Xu, Binbin Jia, Danyang LiObjectives
Complex training is commonly used to enhance strength and explosive performance in athletes; however, the long-term influence of set configuration within complex training remains unclear in highly trained wrestlers. This randomized, volume-matched trial investigated whether set configuration influences long-term adaptations to complex training (CT) in national-level male Chinese-style wrestlers. Specifically, the study compared the effects of cluster-set complex training (CS-CT) and traditional-set complex training (TS-CT) on maximal strength, lower-limb explosive performance, anaerobic power, and sport-specific performance.
Methods
Sixteen highly trained wrestlers (Tier 3; n = 16) completed an 8-week lower-body CT program performed twice weekly. Participants were randomly allocated to either CS-CT ( n = 9) or TS-CT ( n = 7). Training volume, intensity progression (70–85% 1RM), and exercise selection were identical between groups, differing only in set configuration. Primary outcomes included back squat one-repetition maximum (1RM), countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ), standing long jump (SLJ), Wingate anaerobic performance, and wrestling-specific field tests. Group × time interaction effects were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations.
Results
Both CS-CT and TS-CT produced significant improvements in back squat 1RM (both p < 0.05). The CS-CT group demonstrated significant within-group improvements in SLJ, SJ, DJ, and selected sport-specific tests ( p < 0.05), whereas the TS-CT group showed improvements in CMJ and hip-rotation kick performance ( p < 0.05). However, no significant group × time interaction effects were observed for any performance variable (all p > 0.05).
Conclusions
When total training volume and intensity are matched, complex training effectively enhances strength and explosive performance in national-level wrestlers. However, modifying set configuration (cluster vs. traditional) did not result in clearly superior long-term adaptations over an 8-week training period in highly trained athletes.