Cluster Set vs. Traditional Set in Plyometric Training: Effect on the Athletic Performance of Youth Football Players  
[PERSON]  
1 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana 01330, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (B.O. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (H.E)  
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2 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bandrina Onyed Ejuld University, Balikesir 10200, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (N.S.A. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.K.) [PERSON]  
3 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ericyes University, Kayseri 38039, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (N.S.A. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.K.) [PERSON]  
2 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ericyes University, Kayseri 38039, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.K.) [PERSON]  
4 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Tekridag Namuk Kemal University, Tekridag 59030, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (A.K.) [PERSON]  
1 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana 01330, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (B.O. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (H.E)  
[PERSON]  
5 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Flatwolda 34295, Tarkijve; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] ([PERSON]  
6 [PERSON]  
6 [PERSON]  
youth athletes [4, 5]. Plyometric training, in particular, is well-documented as being effective in enhancing sprint performance, improving change of direction (COD) ability, and supporting overall athletic development [6, 7, 8]. Plyometric training comprises a series of explosive strength exercises to enhance physical capacity by increasing muscle-tendon stiffness and strength through muscle fibers' stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) [9, 10]. Plyometric training is believed to boost short-term power outputs--such as sprinting, COD, and jumping performance--by inducing neuromuscular adaptations. These adaptations include improved SSC function, enhanced motor unit recruitment, increased firing frequency, better inter- and intramuscular coordination, and morphological changes (e.g., variations in fiber type or pennation angle) [10, 11, 12]. Numerous studies have demonstrated that plyometric training improves sprinting, COD, and jumping performance [10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]. However, despite the significant enhancements in athletic performance outputs attributed to plyometric training, the optimal design of training programs remains ambiguous. Developing effective plyometric training programs necessitates careful control of several variables, including training level, surface type, volume, intensity, and rest intervals between exercises and sets. Research often explores the effectiveness of various set configurations by manipulating rest intervals [18, 19, 20]. Traditional set configurations are commonly employed in training models to enhance sprinting, COD, and jumping performance outputs (e.g., resistance, plyometric, and complex training). A traditional set typically executes successive repetitions with extended rest intervals [21]. While this method has been widely used for years, sports scientists have developed new set configurations to evaluate their effectiveness in optimizing training sessions. One such innovation is the cluster-set method, which divides a traditional set into smaller subsets with shorter rest intervals [21]. These brief rest periods (10-30 s) facilitate ATP-CP resynthesis, reducing fatigue and enhancing force production [22]. Many studies have examined the effects of both set configurations on athletic performance outputs; however, most of the research has primarily focused on resistance training [23, 24, 25]. There is limited research on the impact of cluster versus traditional set configurations, specifically within plyometric training, and existing studies have mainly evaluated sprinting, change of direction, and jumping strength [10, 26, 27]. Although both set configurations share similar scopes and intensities, no research has investigated the perceptual difficulty levels they impose on athletes. Lower perceived exertion can contribute to reduced fatigue, better adherence to training programs, and a lower risk of overtraining [28].