Effects of training with accentuated eccentric loading on the concentric phase performance in resistance exercises. A systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v65.111240

Keywords:

Strength, Velocity, Power, Potentation, Eccentric training

Abstract

Introduction: accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) training is a strength training novel methodology aimed to generate a potentiation over the exercise concentric phase. However, their effects are still quite unclear.

Objective: this review aimed to analyze the accentuated eccentric loading training over the concentric phase strength, velocity and power variables in traditional resistance exercises.

Methodology: a systematic search of science literature was carried out in different databases. Thirteen studies were included following established inclusion criteria. Studies quality was assessed following the STROBE scale.

Results: the mean rating was 15.8 points. Results change depending on the protocol and exercise performed.

Discussion: strength was the least studied variable and, in general, accentuated eccentric loading training improved the concentric phase. However, some studies did not appreciate this improvement. Compared to upper-limb resistance exercises, velocity and power variables were enhanced through AEL training in lower-limb resistance exercises. Nevertheless, some outcomes indicate that certain protocol variables may negatively impact the exercise concentric phase.

Conclusions: even though some studies show a potentiation effect with an overload during the eccentric phase, future research should analyze the role of different variables in AEL training protocols.

References

Baker, D., & Newton, R. U. (2005). Methods to Increase the Effectiveness of Maximal Power Training for the Upper Body. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 27(6), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1519/00126548-200512000-00004

Balshaw, T. G. (2013). Acute neuromuscular, kinetic, and kinematic responses to accentuated eccentric load resistance exercise. [Tesis de doctorado no publicada]. University of Stirling. https://dspace.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893/17174/3/TG Balshaw PhD Thesis 2013 (200 pag-es).pdf

Carlock, J. M., Smith, S. L., Hartman, M. J., Morris, R. T., Ciroslan, D. A., Pierce, K. C., Newton, R. U., Har-man, E. A., Sands, W. A., & Stone, M. H. (2004). The relationship between vertical jump power es-timates and weightlifting ability: a field-test approach. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Re-search, 18(3), 534–539. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-13213.1

Castro, A. H., Zangakis, D., & Moir, G. L. (2020). The effects of accentuated eccentric loading on mechan-ical variables and agonist electromyography during the bench press. Sports, 8(6), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8060079

Chae, S., Long, S. A., Lis, R. P., McDowell, K. W., Wagle, J. P., Carroll, K. M., Mizuguchi, S., & Stone, M. H. (2024). Combined Accentuated Eccentric Loading and Rest Redistribution in High-Volume Back Squat: Acute Kinetics and Kinematics. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(4), 640–647. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004688

Cormie, P., Mcguigan, M. R., & Newton, R. U. (2011). Developing maximal neuromuscular power: Part 1-- biological basis of maximal power production. Sports Medicine, 41(1), 17–38. https://doi.org/10.2165/11537690-000000000-00000

Doan, B. K., Newton, R. U., Marsit, J. L., Triplett-McBride, N. T., Koziris, L. P., Fry, A. C., & Kraemer, W. J. (2002). Effects of increased eccentric loading on bench press 1RM. Journal of Strength and Con-ditioning Research, 16(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2002)016<0009:EOIELO>2.0.CO;2

Gorassini, M., Yang, J. F., Siu, M., & Bennett, D. J. (2002). Intrinsic activation of human motoneurons: Reduction of motor unit recruitment thresholds by repeated contractions. Journal of Neuro-physiology, 87(4), 1859–1866. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00025.2001

Gorostiaga, E. M., Grandos, C., Ibáñez, J., & Izquierdo, M. (2005). Differences in Physical Fitness and Throwing Velocity Among Elite and Amateur Male Handball Players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(3), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-820974

Haff, G. G., & Nimphius, S. (2012). Training Principles for Power. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 34(6), 2–12. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e31826db467

Handford, M. J., Bright, T. E., Mundy, P., Lake, J., Theis, N., & Hughes, J. D. (2022). The need for eccentric speed : A narrative review of the effects of accelerated eccentric actions during resistance-based training. Sports Medicine, 52(9), 2061–2083. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01686-z

Hawley, J. A., Williams, M. M., Vickovic, M. M., & Handcock, P. J. (1992). Muscle power predicts freestyle swimming performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(3), 151–155. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbjsm.26.3.151

Kristiansen, E. L., Larsen, S., & van den Tillaar, R. (2021). The Acute Effect of Accentuated Eccentric Overloading upon the Kinematics and Myoelectric Activity in the Eccentric and Concentric Phase of a Traditional Bench Press. Sports, 10(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports10010006

Lates, A. D., Greer, B. K., Wagle, J. P., & Taber, C. B. (2022). Accentuated Eccentric Loading and Cluster Set Configurations in the Bench Press. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(6), 1485–1489. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003664

Marquina, M., Lorenzo-Calvo, J., Rivilla-García, J., García-Aliaga, A., & Refoyo Román, I. (2021). Effects on strength, power and speed execution using exercise balls, semi-sphere balance balls and sus-pension training devices: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031026

Martínez-Guardado, I., Mostazo-Guerra, A., Sanabria-Pino, B., Olcina-Camacho, G., & Timón-Andrada, R. (2021). Acute responses of muscle oxygen saturation during different cluster training configu-rations in resistance-trained individuals. Biology of Sport, 38(3), 367–376. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2021.99701

Merrigan, J. J., Tufano, J. J., Falzone, M., & Jones, M. T. (2021). Effectiveness of Accentuated Eccentric Loading: Contingent on Concentric Load. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Per-formance, 16(1), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0769

Merrigan, J. J., Tufano, J. J., & Jones, M. T. (2021). Potentiating Effects of Accentuated Eccentric Loading Are Dependent upon Relative Strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(5), 1208–1216. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004010

Moore, C. A., Weiss, L. W., Schilling, B. K., Fry, A. C., & Li, Y. (2007). Acute effects of augmented eccentric loading on jump squat performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Resarch, 21(2), 372–377. https://doi.org/10.1519/r-18605.1

Munger, C. N., Archer, D. C., Leyva, W. D., Wong, M. A., Coburn, J. W., Costa, P. B., & Brown, L. E. (2017). Acute Effects of Eccentric Overload on Concentric Front Squat Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Resarch, 31(5), 1192–1197. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001825

Ojasto, T., & Häkkien, K. (2009). Effects of different accentuated eccentric load levels in eccentric-concentric actions on acute neuromuscular, maximal force, and power responses. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Resarch, 23(3), 996–1004. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a2b28e

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetz-laff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 372(n71). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Romero, D., & Tous-Fajardo, J. (2010). Prevención de lesiones en el deporte. Claves para un rendimien-to óptimo. Médica Panamericana.

Sheppard, J. M., & Young, K. (2010). Using Additional Eccentric Loads to Increase Concentric Perfor-mance in the Bench Throw. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(10), 2853–2856. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181e2731b

Soriano, M. A., Jiménez-Reyes, P., Rhea, M. R., & Marín, P. J. (2015). The Optimal Load for Maximal Pow-er Production During Lower-Body Resistance Exercises : A Meta-Analysis The Optimal Load for Maximal Power Production During Lower-Body Resistance Exercises : A Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 45(8), 1191–1205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0341-8

Soriano, M. A., Suchomel, T. J., & Marín, P. J. (2016). The Optimal Load for Maximal Power Production During Upper-Body Resistance Exercises : A Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(4), 757–768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0626-6

Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., Bellon, C. R., & Stone, M. H. (2018). The Importance of Muscular Strength: Training Considerations. Sports Medicine, 48(4), 765–785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0862-z

Suchomel, T. J., Wagle, J. P., Douglas, J., Taber, C. B., Harden, M., Ha, G. G., & Stone, M. H. (2019). Imple-menting Eccentric Resistance Training — Part 1 : A Brief Review of Existing Methods. Journal of Functional Morphlogy and Kinesiology, 4(2), 38. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4020038

Taber, C. B., Morris, J. R., Wagle, J. P., & Merrigan, J. J. (2021). Accentuated Eccentric Loading in the Bench Press: Considerations for Eccentric and Concentric Loading. Sports, 9(5), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9050054

Tobin, D. P. (2014). Advanced strength and power training for the elite athlete. Strength and Condition-ing Journal, 36(2), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000044

van den Tillaar, R., & Kwan, K. (2020). The effects of augmented eccentric loading upon kinematics and muscle activation in bench press performance. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiol-ogy, 5(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5010008

Vandenbroucke, J. P., von Elm, E., Altman, D. G., Gøtzsche, P. C., Mulrow, C. D., Pocock, S. J., Poole, C., Schlesselman, J. J., & Egger, M. (2014). Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): Explanation and elaboration. International Journal of Surgery, 12(12), 1500–1524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.014

Varela-Olalla, D., Romero-Caballero, A., del Campo-Vecino, J., & Balsalobre-Fernández, C. (2020). A Clus-ter Set Protocol in the Half Squat Exercise Reduces Mechanical Fatigue and Lactate Concentra-tions in Comparison with A Traditional Set Configuration. Sports, 8(4), 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8040045

Vogt, M., & Hoppeler, H. H. (2014). Eccentric exercise: Mechanisms and effects when used as training regime or training adjunct. Journal of Applied Physiology, 116(11), 1446–1454. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00146.2013

Wagle, J. P., Cunanan, A. J., Carroll, K. M., Sams, M. L., Wetmore, A., Bingham, G. E., Taber, C. B., Deweese, B. H., Sato, K., Stuart, C. A., & Stone, M. H. (2021). Accentuated Eccentric Loading and Cluster Set Configurations in the Back Squat: A Kinetic and Kinematic Analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Resarch, 35(2), 420–427. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002677

Wagle, J. P., Taber, C. B., Carroll, K. M., Id, A. J. C., Sams, M. L., Wetmore, A., Bingham, G. E., Deweese, B. H., Sato, K., Stuart, C. A., & Stone, M. H. (2018). Repetition-to-Repetition Differences Using Cluster and Accentuated Eccentric Loading in the Back Squat. Sports, 6(3), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6030059

Wagle, J. P., Taber, C. B., Cunanan, A. J., Carroll, K. M., Carroll, K. M., Deweese, B. H., Sato, K., & Stone, M. H. (2017). Accentuated Eccentric Loading for Training and Performance : A Review. Sports Medi-cine, 47(12), 2473–2495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0755-6

Wilk, M., Golas, A., Krzysztofik, M., Nawrocka, M., & Zajac, A. (2019). The Effects of Eccentric Cadence on Power and Velocity of the Bar during the Concentric Phase of the Bench Press Movement. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 18(2), 191–197.

Published

2025-02-17

How to Cite

Bravo Paños, I., & Marquina Nieto, M. (2025). Effects of training with accentuated eccentric loading on the concentric phase performance in resistance exercises. A systematic review. Retos, 65, 600–613. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v65.111240

Issue

Section

Theoretical systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis