Cluster Training in Female Volleyball Players

Summary

This study compares the effects of three different resistance training methods-traditional training, standard cluster training, and undulating cluster training-on strength, hormonal responses, and inflammation in female volleyball players aged 18-30 years. Thirty participants with at least two years of volleyball and resistance training experience were randomly assigned to one of three groups. All participants performed resistance training three times per week and volleyball-specific training two times per week for eight weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after the first session (acute response) and after eight weeks (chronic adaptation) to measure testosterone, cortisol, IGF-1, progesterone, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Performance tests included upper-body and lower-body strength (bench press and squat), speed, agility, and vertical jump. The main finding was that undulating cluster training produced significantly greater improvements in upper-body strength compared to standard cluster training, while all three methods were equally effective for lower-body strength and other performance measures. No significant differences were found between groups for hormonal or inflammatory changes. The study provides practical guidance for coaches seeking to optimize upper-body strength gains in female volleyball players.

Conditions

• Athletic Performance
• Volleyball Players
• Resistance Training

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Traditional Resistance Training

Eight weeks of traditional resistance training, 3 sessions per week. Each session includes 8 exercises: dumbbell thruster, power clean, back squat, deadlift, knee flexion curl, bench press, military p

BEHAVIORAL

Standard Cluster Resistance Training

Eight weeks of standard cluster resistance training, 3 sessions per week. Same exercises and intensity progression as TRT, but with intra-set rest intervals (10-30 seconds between clusters) to maintain movement quality, repetition velocity, and power output across multiple sets.

BEHAVIORAL

Undulating Cluster Resistance Training

Eight weeks of undulating cluster resistance training, 3 sessions per week. Combines intra-set rest intervals (10-30 seconds between clusters) with systematic weekly variations in load and repetition schemes. Intensity and volume undulate across weeks to balance neural drive and load tolerance while preserving high-quality repetitions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Birjand University of Medical Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mohsen Mohammadnia Ahmadi, PhD · university of birjand

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-11-20

Primary Completion

2022-12-20

Completion

2022-12-30

Countries

• Iran

Study Locations