Chronic Comparison of Short Recovery Stress Scale in Trained Individuals Completing Traditional or Accentuated Eccentric Loading

Lis, R, Long, A, Goode, N, McDowell, K, Nelson, D, Mizuguchi, S, Duca, M, Baur, M, Wagle, JP, Fry, AC, and Stone, MH. Chronic comparison of short recovery stress scale in trained individuals completing traditional or accentuated eccentric loading. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The purpose of this study was to compare and monitor psychological stress induced by accentuated eccentric training (AEL) compared with traditional resistance training (TRAD). The only difference between groups was AEL used weight releasers for the bench press (BP) and back squat (BS) every 2 repetitions with 15 seconds of rest. Recreationally trained subjects (males: n = 12, age: 22.75 ± 4 years, BW: 89.42 ± 21.09 kgs, BP 1RM: 104.67 ± 23.58 kgs, relative BP 1RM: 1.19 ± 0.22, BS 1RM: 140.75 ± 39.17 kgs, relative BS 1RM: 1.59 ± 0.34, females: n = 6, age: 23.6 ± 4.5 years, BW: 64.3 ± 10.8 kgs, BP 1RM: 51.7 ± 13.4 kgs, relative BP 1RM: 0.80 ± 0.13, BS 1RM: 93.7 ± 18 kgs, relative BS 1RM: 1.47 ± 0.30) completed 4 weeks of strength endurance training. Resistance training occurred 3 times per week (M, W, F), and speed and agility were trained twice per week (T & R). Subjects completed the short recovery stress scale (SRSS) before their warm-ups every single day of training. Results showed a statistical significance for an interaction of muscular stress between groups over days ( p < 0.05). Physical performance capability and overall recovery increasing over days, whereas overall stress decreasing in both groups. We conclude that AEL does not create any major differences compared with TRAD when assessed via the SRSS. Practitioners may use AEL to obtain certain qualities without the expense of greater stress and somewhat lower recovery rates compared with TRAD.