Do traditional and cluster-set resistance training systems alter the pleasure and effort perception in trained men?

Cluster-set training may decrease the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses during resistance training when compared to the traditional training. This decrease in RPE scores may influence the increase in pleasure levels associated with exercise without affecting the adaptive responses to training. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two different strength training methods (Traditional vs. Cluster-set) on pleasure and rating perceived exertion (RPE) in trained men. Twelve trained men (age = 23.0 ± 3.2 years, body mass = 72.5 ± 2.2 kg and % fat = 18 ± 6.4) completed all sessions. The participants performed two exercises (seated row and chest press) for the traditional and cluster-set methods. The participants performed between 8 and 10 repetitions with three sets for each exercise. Cluster-set was composed of 3 sets of 2 blocks with 20 seconds of rest between each of 4 repetitions. The RPE and pleasure responses were evaluated and compared before and between the sets and after 15 and 30 minutes of training (Cluster-set vs. Traditional). Repeatedmeasures ANOVA was used to compare the methods. No difference was found in the total work between the methods (p = 0.979). There was no significant difference for pleasure responses (p = 0.253). A difference in time was found for the RPE (p = 0.001). We concluded that men, who are experienced in strength training, did not exhibit differences in RPE and pleasure scores between traditional and cluster-set methods.