The Effect of Cluster Sets and Accentuated Eccentric Loading on Vertical Jump Performance and Strategy During Lower‐Body Complex Training

ABSTRACT This study assessed general and more detailed post‐activation performance enhancement responses to cluster sets (CS) + accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) versus a traditional method (TRD) in vertical jump performance and strategy. Six men and six women completed lower‐body complex training: countermovement jump was performed at baseline and 1‐, 2‐, 4‐, and 6‐min after back squat using CS + AEL and TRD in a randomized crossover manner. CS + AEL used 20 s of inter‐repetition rests for back squat and 30% body mass dumbbells for countermovement jump (on the first repetition only across three repetitions at 2‐, 4‐, and 6‐min post), unlike TRD. Data were analyzed as: condition × time (1‐, 2‐, 4‐, and 6‐min) and condition × time (2‐, 4‐, and 6‐min) × rep (1, 2, and 3), with baseline as a covariate. Peak power was significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased during CS + AEL at 4‐min ( g = −0.73) and increased during TRD at 2‐min ( g = 0.46) compared to respective baseline. Peak power was significantly reduced during CS + AEL at 4‐min on rep 2 ( g = −0.85) and 3 ( g = −1.28) and elevated during TRD at 2‐min on rep 3 ( g = 0.72) compared to respective rep 1. Despite a significant interaction for concentric duration, none of the repetitions were statistically different compared to respective rep 1. CS + AEL compromised post‐activation performance enhancement at 4‐min post, potentially due to rep‐to‐rep decreases in peak power on rep 2 and 3, unlike TRD.