Less time, same gains: Comparison of superset vs. traditional set training on muscular adaptations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of superset versus traditional resistance training (RT) on muscular strength, hypertrophy, body composition, and local muscular endurance. Equipment and methods: Forty-three young, resistance-trained male and female participants were randomly assigned to either a superset RT group (SS) or a traditional RT group (TRAD). The RT protocol targeted the upper and lower body musculature using six exercises (lat pulldown, Smith machine bench press, seated leg curl, leg extension, dumbbell biceps curl, and cable triceps pushdown). All exercises were performed in the same session, twice weekly for eight consecutive weeks. Participants in TRAD completed all sets for one exercise prior to performing a different exercise with two minutes of rest between sets. Participants in SS performed a set for one exercise followed immediately by a set for another exercise then two minutes of rest, which was repeated for a total of four sets per superset. Outcomes included muscle thickness of the upper and lower limbs, body composition, bench press one-repetition maximum, isometric knee extensor torque, countermovement jump height and upper and lower body local muscular endurance performance. Results: Consistent evidence was obtained that both groups generally experienced similar average increases in muscle thickness across all assessed muscle groups (Bayes factor [BF] = 0.54, range: 0.23 to 1.3) as well as the same average changes in strength (BF = 0.28, range: 0.14 to 0.41), power (BF = 0.22), local muscular endurance (BF = 0.59, range: 0.54 to 0.63), and body composition outcomes (BF = 0.19, range: 0.13 to 0.24). Despite similar estimates of between-group changes, SS completed sessions in 36% less time than TRAD. Conclusion: In conclusion, supersets appear to be a time-efficient alternative for eliciting muscular adaptations in a resistance-trained population.