Shorter Set Configurations Attenuate Performance Loss and Lactatemia During Resistance Training in Postmenopausal
Eliseo Iglesias-Soler1, Juan Fariñas, María Rúa-Alonso
1Performance and Health Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruna, A Coruña, Spain.
Abstract:
Iglesias-Soler, E, Fariñas, J, Rúa-Alonso, M, Rial-Vázquez, J, Nine, I, and Revuelta-Lera, B. Shorter set configurations attenuate performance loss and lactatemia during resistance training in postmenopausal women: A randomized crossover trial (CARE project). J Strength Cond Res 40(2): e180-e188, 2026-Menopause is a stage of life associated with a decline in muscle mass and strength, which underscores the importance of resistance training (RT) for preserving neuromuscular function in women. This study analyzed the effect of set configuration (SC) in RT sessions on lactatemia, mechanical performance, and neuromuscular fatigue in postmenopausal women. Fifty physically active postmenopausal women performed, in randomized order, 3 resistance sessions consisting of 4 exercises: leg press (LP), bench press (BP), prone leg curl, and lateral pull-down. The sessions were matched for load intensity (12 repetition maximum), volume (36 repetitions per exercise), and work-to-rest ratio, but differed in SC: 9 sets of 4 repetitions (4S), 6 sets of 6 repetitions (6S), and 4 sets of 9 repetitions (9S). A linear velocity transducer recorded concentric velocity and power in each repetition of LP and BP. Intraset and session-level velocity loss and power loss were calculated. Lactatemia and explosive performance in LP and BP were assessed before and after each session. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. 4S improved mechanical performance and attenuated intraset and session velocity loss and power loss, while eliciting smaller increases in lactatemia than other configurations. Within each configuration, velocity and power loss were significantly higher in BP than in LP. Similar reductions in explosive performance were observed across all sessions. In conclusion, SC modulates both mechanical performance and glycolytic involvement in postmenopausal women. Exercise-specific differences highlight the need for caution when using fixed velocity- and power-loss thresholds to estimate effort in this population.
