JOINT LOADING AT DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF SQUATS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of squatting in a common, in a knee-shifted position and in an inclined position (3 cm heel lift) on joint loading. 16 male subjects were tested during squatting with an additional mass of 20 kg. Kinematic and kinetic recordings were performed by two force platforms (AMTI) and a ten infrared camera system (VICON). Inverse dynamics were calculated using a recursive multibody algorithm. Results showed significantly higher ankle dorsiflexion moments as well as higher knee varus moments for the knee-shifted performance. Due to the higher load on the ankle and the knee joint the knee-shifted variation should be avoided in squat training. The inclination of 3 cm does not lead to alterations of the joint moments and therefore does not lead to beneficial effects with respect to joint loading.