Combined Accentuated Eccentric Loading and Rest Redistribution in High-Volume Back Squat: Acute Kinetics and Kinematics

Chae, S, Long, SA, Lis, RP, McDowell, KW, Wagle, JP, Carroll, KM, Mizuguchi, S, and Stone, MH. Combined accentuated eccentric loading and rest redistribution in high-volume back squat: Acute kinetics and kinematics. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 640-647, 2024-The purpose of this study was to explore acute kinetic and kinematic responses to combined accentuated eccentric loading and rest redistribution (AEL + RR). Resistance-trained men ( n = 12, 25.6 ± 4.4 years, 1.77 ± 0.06 m, and 81.7 ± 11.4 kg) completed a back squat (BS) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and weight releaser familiarization session. Three BS exercise conditions (sets × repetitions × eccentric/concentric loading) consisted of (a) 3 × (5 × 2) × 110/60% (AEL + RR 5), (b) 3 × (2 × 5) × 110/60% (AEL + RR 2), and (c) 3 × 10 × 60/60% 1RM (traditional sets [TS]). Weight releasers (50% 1RM) were attached to every first repetition of each cluster set (every first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth repetition in AEL + RR 5 and every first and sixth repetition in AEL + RR 2). The AEL + RR 5 resulted in significantly ( p < 0.05) greater concentric peak velocity (PV) (1.18 ± 0.17 m·s -1 ) and peak power (PP) (2,304 ± 499 W) compared with AEL + RR 2 (1.11 ± 0.19 m·s -1 and 2,148 ± 512 W) and TS (1.10 ± 0.14 m·s -1 and 2,079 ± 388 W). Furthermore, AEL + RR 5 resulted in significantly greater PV and PP across all 10 repetitions compared with TS. Although AEL + RR 5 resulted in significantly greater concentric mean force (MF) (1,706 ± 224 N) compared with AEL + RR 2 (1,697 ± 209 N) and TS (1,685 ± 211 N), no condition by set or repetition interactions existed. In conclusion, AEL + RR 5 increases PV and PP but has little effect on MF. Coaches might consider prescribing AEL + RR 5 to increase especially peak aspects of velocity and power outcomes.