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Cited by 17Lower Extremity Biomechanics and PathologiesSports Performance and TrainingSports Dynamics and Biomechanics

Footwear and elevated heel influence on barbell back squat: A review

Pangan, Aaron Michael, Leineweber, Matthew·2021·Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
DOI 10.1115/1.4050820
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Abstract

The back squat is one of the most effective exercises in strengthening the muscles of the lower extremity. Understanding the impact of footwear has on the biomechanics is imperative for maximizing the exercise training potential, preventing injury, and rehabilitating from injury. This review focuses on how different types of footwear affect the full-body kinematics, joint loads, muscle activity, and ground reaction forces in athletes of varying experience performing the weighted back squat. The literature search was conducted using three databases, and fourteen full-text articles were ultimately included in the review. The majority of these studies demonstrated that the choice of footwear directly impacts kinematics and kinetics. Weightlifting shoes were shown to decrease trunk lean and generate more plantarflexion relative to running shoes and barefoot lifting. Elevating the heel through the use of external squat wedges is popular method during rehabilitation and was shown to provide similar effects to weightlifting shoes. Additional research with a broader array of populations, particularly novice and female weightlifters, should be conducted to generalize the research results to nonathlete populations. Further work is also needed to characterize the specific effects of sole stiffness and heel elevation height on squatting mechanics.

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42 of 42 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Compared to trunk inclination, inclination of the tibia during squatting has an opposite influence on the knee flexion moment.

    “Compared to trunk inclination, inclination of the tibia during squatting has an opposite influence on the knee flexion moment.9,10,16–18”

    From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [10]

  • The moments at the hip and knee during squatting are highly influenced by the orientation of the trunk, which in turn affects the center of mass of the body.

    “The moments at the hip and knee during squatting are highly influenced by the orientation of the trunk, which in turn affects the center of mass of the body.9,10”

    From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [10]

  • Moving the tibia from a more upright position to a more forward position shifts the knee joint center further away from the resultant ground reaction force vector, thereby increasing the knee flexion moment during squatting.

    “Moving the tibia from a more upright position (Figure 3A) to more forward position (Figure 3B) shifts the knee joint center further away from the resultant ground reaction force vector, thereby increasing the knee flexion moment.”

    From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [10]

  • The increase in the knee flexion moment resulting from inclination of the tibia could be offset by forward inclination of the trunk.

    “For example, the increase in the knee flexion moment resulting from inclination of the tibia could be offset by forward inclination of the trunk.10”

    From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [10]

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Authors
Pangan, A. M., & Leineweber, M.
Affiliations
San Jose State University (US)
ORCID
Leineweber, Matthew
Venue
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
Publisher
ASME International
Published
2021-05-06
Volume
143
Issue
9
ISSN
  • 0148-0731 (ISSN-L)
  • 1528-8951
DOI
10.1115/1.4050820
OpenAlex
W3153066145
Cited by
17
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1
FWCI
0.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.asme.org/publications-submissions/publishing-information/legal-policies (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Biomechanical Engineering (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics
Keywords
back squat, footwear, heel elevation, squat kinematics, joint loading, muscle activity, ground reaction force, injury prevention, rehabilitation
MeSH terms
Biomechanical Phenomena, Heel, Humans, Shoes, Weight Lifting, Mechanical Phenomena

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