Publications
Comparing full-body flywheel eccentric protocols: cluster set vs. traditional training on muscle damage, arterial stiffness, jump performance, grip strength, cognitive, and perceptual responses
Authors: Ming-Chia Weng 1, Chih-Yuan Fang 2, 3, Hsi-Hsun Su 3, Eisuke Ochi 4, Maximillian J. Nelson 5, Hunter Bennett 5, Thomas P. Wycherley 5, Xiang Dai 2, Che-Hsiu Chen 2
Affiliations:
- Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Sport Performance, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Feng Yuan Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate School of Sports & Health Studies, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition, and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Australia
Journal: Biology of Sport - April 2026, Issue 43, Pages 1149-1160 (DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2026.158673)
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Field & Applications:
- Sport
- Fatigue / Overtraining
- Warm-up / Recovery
- Muscle development / Performance
The study investigated the acute effects of traditional (TRAD) and cluster (CLUS) set full-body flywheel eccentric exercise (FW) protocols on muscular performance, damage, vascular responses, and cognitive function.
Twenty-four well trained male team sport athletes participated in this randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to TRAD or CLUS FW protocols. FW protocols consisted of four sets of eight repetitions for four exercises (squat, high pull, bent over row, and calf raise), with 120 seconds of rest between sets. Measured variables included creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness, muscle and tendon stiffness, countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip strength, blood pressure, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), ankle-brachial index (ABI), heart rate, cognitive function, and fatigue. These assessments were conducted pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and at 24 h and 48 h post-exercise.
Both protocols showed similar power outputs and cognitive improvement over time (p < .05). Handgrip strength declined in both groups, while perceived fatigue and muscle soreness increased (p < .05). However, the CLUS exhibited lower CK levels, lower quadriceps stiffness at 24 and 48 h post-exercise, and lower patellar tendon stiffness immediately post-exercise, compared to the TRAD (p < .05). Greater vascular fluctuations, particularly in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and CAVI, were observed in the TRAD group (p < .05).
These findings suggest that a cluster set protocol for full-body flywheel eccentric exercise may be advantageous for recovery compared to a traditional set protocol in well trained male team sport athletes.
Keywords: recovery, fatigue, prevention, injury, damage, preservation, lengthening
This study examined the immediate effects of two full-body FW eccentric training protocols, traditional (TRAD) and cluster set (CLUS), on muscle damage, vascular responses, cognitive performance, and strength. While both approaches produced similar power outputs, the CLUS protocol led to smaller increases in serum CK levels and muscle/tendon stiffness, suggesting a less pronounced muscle damage response. Vascular indicators such as CAVI and DBP were better maintained following CLUS, pointing to potential benefits for cardio-vascular regulation. Both groups showed improvements in cognitive performance over time, which may reflect the favorable neurocognitive impact of moderate-intensity FW training. Overall, these findings suggest that CLUS may offer a more recovery-supportive training option, particularly in settings where minimizing fatigue and tissue strain is critical.