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The Effect of Back Squat Depth on the EMG Activity of 4 Superficial Hip and Thigh Muscles
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to measure the relative contributions of 4 hip and thigh muscles while performing squats at 3 depths. Ten experienced lifters performed randomized trials of squats at partial, parallel, and full depths, using 100-125% of body weight as resistance. Electromyographic (EMG) surface electrodes were placed on the vastus medialis (VMO), the vastus lateralis, (VL), the biceps femoris (BF), and the gluteus maximus (GM). EMG data were quantified by integration and expressed as a percentage of the total electrical activity of the 4 muscles. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc tests indicated a significant difference (p < 0.001*, p = 0.056**) in the relative contribution of the GM during the concentric phases among the partial- (16.9%*), parallel- (28.0%**), and full-depth (35.4%*) squats. There were no significant differences between the relative contributions of the BF, the VMO, and the VL at different squatting depths during this phase. The results suggest that the GM, rather than the BF, the VMO, or the VL, becomes more active in concentric contraction as squat depth increases.
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Moving the trunk from a more upright position to a more forward position shifts the resultant ground reaction force vector anteriorly, resulting in an increase in the hip flexion moment while simultaneously decreasing the knee flexion moment during squatting.
“Moving the trunk from a more upright position (Figure 1A) to more forward position (Figure 1B) shifts the resultant ground reaction force vector anteriorly, resulting in an increase in the hip flexion moment while simultaneously decreasing the knee flexion moment.11”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
A trunk-tibia angle of -8° resulted in a hip/knee flexion moment ratio equal to 1.0.
“The regression model indicated that a trunk-tibia angle of -8° resulted in a hip/knee flexion moment ratio equal to 1.0.11”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
The relative demand of the hip and knee extensors during squatting could be predicted based on the relative inclination of the trunk and tibia.
“Evidence in support of this premise is provided by Barrack et al., who demonstrated that the relative demand of the hip and knee extensors during squatting could be predicted based on the relative inclination of the trunk and tibia.11”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
When tibia inclination exceeded trunk inclination (by at least 8°), the squat became knee extensor biased (hip/knee flexion moment ratio < 1.0).
“Conversely, when tibia inclination exceeded trunk inclination (by at least 8°), the squat became knee extensor biased (i.e., hip/knee flexion moment ratio < 1.0).11”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
Based on the findings of Barrack et al., it is possible to characterize the relative demand of the hip and knee extensors using the trunk-tibia inclination difference.
“Based on the findings of Barrack et al., it is possible to characterize the relative demand of the hip and knee extensors using the trunk-tibia inclination difference.11”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
The difference between sagittal plane inclination of the trunk and sagittal plane inclination of the tibia (trunk-tibia angle) at peak knee flexion was predictive of the average hip/knee flexion moment ratio during the descent phase of squatting.
“Specifically, the authors reported that the difference between sagittal plane inclination of the trunk and sagittal plane inclination of the tibia (i.e., trunk-tibia angle) at peak knee flexion was predictive of the average hip/knee flexion moment ratio during the decent phase of squatting.”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
When the degree of trunk inclination exceeded the degree of tibia inclination (trunk-tibia angle > 0), a hip extensor bias squat was observed (hip/knee flexion moment ratio > 1.0).
“When the degree of trunk inclination exceeded the degree of tibia inclination (i.e., trunk-tibia angle > 0), a hip extensor bias squat was observed (i.e., hip/knee flexion moment ratio > 1.0).”
From A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. (2024) · cites this paper as [11]
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Squatting Kinematics and Kinetics and Their Application to Exercise Performance
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2010) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181bac2d7 · Cited by 545
Muscle Activation in the Loaded Free Barbell Squat: A Brief Review
Clark, D. R., Lambert, M. I., & Hunter, A. M. (2012) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e31822d533d · Cited by 170
Paoli, A., Marcolin, G., & Petrone, N. (2009) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181876811 · Cited by 126
Muscle activation differs between partial and full back squat exercise with external load equated
da Silva, J. J., Schoenfeld, B. J., Marchetti, P. N., Pecoraro, S. L., Greve, J. M. D., & Marchetti, P. H. (2017) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000001713 · Cited by 79
A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice.
Straub, R. K., & Powers, C. M. (2024) · International journal of sports physical therapy · doi:10.26603/001c.94600 · Cited by 70
Knee joint kinetics in relation to commonly prescribed squat loads and depths
Cotter, J. A., Chaudhari, A. M., Jamison, S. T., & Devor, S. T. (2013) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182773319 · Cited by 64
The lumbar and sacrum movement pattern during the back squat exercise
McKean, M. R., Dunn, P. K., & J. Burkett, B. (2010) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181e2e166 · Cited by 62
Zavala, L., Flores, V., Cotter, J. A., & Becker, J. (2021) · European Journal of Sport Science · doi:10.1080/17461391.2020.1806935 · Cited by 11
Kinematic analysis of the back squat at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters
Giustino, V., Vicari, D. S. S., Figlioli, F., Gervasi, M., Fernández Peña, E., Schifaudo, N., Tedesco, M., Drid, P., Paoli, A., Battaglia, G., et al. (2024) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1454309 · Cited by 6
Metadata
- Authors
- CATERISANO, A., MOSS, R. E., PELLINGER, T. K., WOODRUFF, K., LEWIS, V. C., BOOTH, W., & KHADRA, T.
- Affiliations
- Furman University (US)
- ORCID
- PELLINGER, THOMAS K.
- Venue
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
- Published
- 2002-08
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 428-432
- ISSN
- 1064-8011 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2171638501
- Cited by
- 231
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 0.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
- Keywords
- back squat, squat depth, electromyography, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, hip muscles, thigh muscle, muscle activation, concentric phase, resistance training
- MeSH terms
- Electromyography, Hip, Humans, Thigh, Weight Lifting, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal
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