## 2 Materials and Methods
### Procedures
Three minutes of rest was given between the two trials. The isometric peak force (ISOPF) and rate of force development (RFD) at 0-200 ms were derived from the force-time curve and recorded. The ratio of absolute 1 RM to BdM and allometrically scaled 1 RM for the back squat and bench press were also calculated for each subject. The average of the two attempts was calculated and used for the statistical analyses. In our laboratory, the reliability for the 1 RM back squat and isometric pull variables has consistently been good to excellent: ICC for ISOPF \(\geq\) 0.95 and RFD 0-200 ms \(\geq\) 0.83 [PERSON] et al. (2019); [PERSON] et al. (2019). Training Program: The relative strength score (BS 1 RM/ BM + BP 1 RM/BM) was used for pairing the subjects. The pairs were then randomly assigned into the AEL (males = 6 and females = 2) or TRAD (males = 5 and females = 3) groups. Both groups participated in a four-week strength-endurance block of training. Resistance training was performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Sprint and agility training were on Tuesdays and Thursdays, respectively. A typical training session took approximately 45-60 min to complete. See Tables 1-3 for the details regarding the program overview and exercise selection. The sprint and agility sessions were included to better simulate a typical training program of strength-power athletes [PERSON] et al. (2019); [PERSON] et al. (2019). Additionally, training volumes were not equated as previous research has shown difficulties in trying to match the volume between TRAD and AEL training [PERSON] et al. (2019), and equating workload is not ecologically viable, particularly in sport scenarios [PERSON] et al. (2019). The duration of the intervention program was 4 weeks. This duration is a common time frame for a strength-endurance concentrated load used as part of an accumulation block [4]. Additionally, the existing evidence shows that AEL training can stimulate adaptations within this time frame [34,35]. Prior to each training session, the subjects completed a dynamic warm-up. Upon completion of the warm-up, the two groups began their training session while being supervised by a minimum of two certified strength and conditioning specialists (CSCSs). The subjects performed resistance training sessions at the same time, but in separate weightrooms, and performed sprint and agility sessions together. The coaches were periodically rotated to offer the same level of exposure to each coach in order to limit any coaching bias. This would limit the effect of coaching style on the efficacy of the program to stimulate adaptations. On days when the subjects performed the back squat and bench press, specific warm-up protocols were performed before starting the working sets (Table 4). The AEL group \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c} \hline \hline  & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**TRAD**} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**AEL**} \\ \hline
**Week** & **Sets \(\times\) Reps** & **Day 1 and 3** & **Day 5** & **Day 1** & **Day 3** & **Day 5** \\ \hline
1 & 3 \(\times\) 10 & 57.5\% & 50\% & 110 */57.5\% & 57.5\% & 110 */50\% \\
2 & 3 \(\times\) 10 & 62.5\% & 55\% & 110 */62.5\% & 62.5\% & 110 */55\% \\
3 & 3 \(\times\) 10 & 67.5\% & 57.5\% & 110 */65\% & 67.5\% & 110 */57.5\% \\
4 & 3 \(\times\) 10 & 52.5\% & 45\% & 110 */52.5\% & 52.5\% & 110 */45\% \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
* Intensity is prescribed as % 1 RM. AEL = accentuated eccentric loading; TRAD = traditional resistance training.
* Indicates AEL repetitions.  
\end{table} 
Table 1: Resistance training overview.