Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Objectives: 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, volumematched 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 lowerbody 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 x 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 x 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.
Keywords
cluster set, complex training, explosive power, strength development, wrestling
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
6-25-2026
Article Number
e21438
E-ISSN
21678359
Volume
14
Publication Title
PeerJ
Publisher
PeerJ Inc.
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
101712
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Ma, Y., Gou, P., Huang, Y., Yu, J., Zhou, L., Xu, K., Jia, B., & Li, D. (2026). Does set configuration influence long-term adaptations to complex training in national-level wrestlers? A volume-matched randomized trial. PeerJ, 14, e21438. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21438