comparison of effects of an acute bout of reverse vs. compound supersets on plasma ck, igf-i, gh responses in trained men

superset exercise is a mode of strength training characterized by limited rest intervals between sets. our study aims to investigate plasma ck, igf-i, and gh responses to reverse and compound supersets. fourteen trained men (bmi= 23.25±2.59; age= 24±2.32) participated in our study. subjects were designated to two groups of 7 each, and a cross design was used in exercise performance. exercises were performed in two modes of compound and reverse supersets (including consecutively exercising agonists in compound mode, and exercising agonists and antagonists in reverse mode, for both upper and lower body) at 10-rm and blood samples were obtained immediately. independent t test was used for data analysis and it was found that only ck values were significantly different (p = 0.006) between two modes (compound>reverse). there was no significant difference between two groups in gh (p= 0.191), igf-i (p=0.256) responses. hence, compound and reverse superset resistance training may elicit similar growth responses; however, compound supersets might elicit more muscular damage compare to reverse supersets.