Effects of traditional and cluster resistance training using four multi-joint exercises on neuromuscular performance in striking combat sport athletes

Abstract Background This randomized 6-week intervention study compared the effects of traditional and cluster resistance training on neuromuscular performance in non-professional striking combat sport athletes. Methods Twenty-four participants were allocated to a traditional training group (TRG; n = 12; 2 women and 10 men) or a cluster training group (CLG; n = 12; 2 women and 10 men). Both groups completed a 6-week full-body resistance training program involving parallel squat, bench press, hexagonal-bar deadlift, and bench pull exercises. Training volume and intensity were matched between groups (3 sets of 8 repetitions at 75% 1RM). The key difference was that the TRG performed traditional continuous sets, whereas the CLG incorporated 15-s intra-set rest periods every two repetitions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included countermovement jump (CMJ) height, medicine-ball throw distance with dominant (DMBT) and non-dominant (NDMBT) arms, and load–velocity relationship (LVR) parameters—load-axis intercept ( L 0 ), velocity-axis intercept ( v 0 ), and area under the LVR line (A line )—derived from the parallel squat, hexagonal-bar deadlift, bench press, and bench pull exercises. Results Significant time effects revealed improvements in CMJ, DMBT, NDMBT, parallel squat L 0 , parallel squat A line , bench press L 0 , bench press A line , and bench pull A line ( p ≤ 0.035), whereas no significant changes were observed for the remaining variables ( p ≥ 0.059). No significant time × group interactions were detected for any variable ( p ≥ 0.064). Between-group differences in performance changes were generally trivial-to-small (ES ≤ 0.42). Conclusions Traditional non-failure and basic cluster set configurations produced comparable neuromuscular adaptations in striking combat sport athletes during a strength-oriented training block. Trial registrations NCT07653425. Registered on 11 June 2026.