Traditional and Accentuated Eccentric Loaded Back Squat Performance: A Comparison Between Stronger and Weaker Men

Suchomel, TJ, Cantwell, CJ, Marshall-Ciochon, LK, Campbell, BA, Schroeder, ZS, and Taber, CB. Traditional and accentuated eccentric loaded back squat performance: A comparison between stronger and weaker men. J Strength Cond Res 40(8): 909-919, 2026-Force production characteristics of stronger and weaker men were compared during traditional (TRAD) back squats and those performed with maximal (AEL-MAX) and supramaximal (AEL-SUPRA) accentuated eccentric loading. Fifteen resistance-trained men were separated into stronger ( n = 8) and weaker ( n = 7) groups based on their ability/inability to back squat at least twice their body mass before completing 3 separate testing sessions. Subjects performed 3 back squat repetitions with TRAD loads of 50, 60, 70, and 80% of their 1 repetition maximum (1RM) or the same loads with weight releasers that equated the total load to 100% (AEL-MAX) or 110% (AEL-SUPRA) 1RM during the braking phase of the first repetition of each set. Braking (B) and propulsion (P) net mean force (MF), duration (Dur), and net impulse (Imp) were compared between groups during each condition. Except for a faster PDur by stronger subjects ( p = 0.030), there were no differences between groups during the TRAD condition. During the AEL-MAX and AEL-SUPRA conditions, stronger subjects produced greater BMF ( p = 0.016) and PMF ( p < 0.05) and a faster PDur ( p = 0.014) than weaker subjects; however, there were no differences in BDur or BImp ( p > 0.05). Despite no between-group differences during the AEL-MAX condition ( p = 0.639), greater PImp was produced by the weaker group during AEL-SUPRA ( p = 0.025). Stronger men produced greater BMF and PMF during similar or shorter durations than weaker individuals during AEL back squats, suggesting superior utilization of AEL by stronger individuals.