Biomechanical, Anthropometric, and Psychological Determinants of Barbell Back Squat Strength

Vigotsky, Andrew D.; Bryanton, Megan A.; Nuckols, Greg; Beardsley, Chris; Contreras, Bret; Evans, James; Schöenfeld, Brad J.

doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000002535

Cited by 19 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Recent research serves to support our findings in context of the BBS exercise. For example, Vigotsky et al (2019), recently reported no relationship between BBS 1RM and isometric spinal extension strength. In their discussion, Vigotsky et al suggested that, during a BBS exercise, ‘the spinal erectors need only resist the net joint moment as well as a small abdominal co-contraction, which does not necessarily increase with load’.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of a 4-week mesocycle of barbell back squat or barbell hip thrust strength training upon isolated lumbar extension strength

Hammond

Perrin

Steele

et al. 2019

PeerJ

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Objectives Common exercises such as the barbell back squat (BBS) and barbell hip thrust (BHT) are perceived to provide a training stimulus to the lumbar extensors. However, to date there have been no empirical studies considering changes in lumbar extension strength as a result of BBS or BHT resistance training (RT) interventions. Purpose To consider the effects of BBS and BHT RT programmes upon isolated lumbar extension (ILEX) strength. Methods Trained male subjects (n = 14; 22.07 ± 0.62 years; 179.31 ± 6.96 cm; 79.77 ± 13.81 kg) were randomised in to either BBS (n = 7) or BHT (n = 7) groups and performed two training sessions per week during a 4-week mesocycle using 80% of their 1RM. All subjects were tested pre- and post-intervention for BBS and BHT 1RM as well as isometric ILEX strength. Results Analyses revealed that both BBS and BHT groups significantly improved both their BBS and BHT 1RM, suggesting a degree of transferability. However, the BBS group improved their BBS 1RM to a greater degree than the BHT group (p = 0.050; ∼11.8 kg/10.2% vs. ∼8.6 kg/7.7%, respectively). And the BHT group improved their BHT 1RM to a greater degree than the BBS group (p = 0.034; ∼27.5 kg/24.8% vs. ∼20.3 kg/13.3%, respectively). Neither BBS nor BHT groups significantly improved their isometric ILEX strength. Conclusions The present study supports the concept of specificity, particularly in relation to the movement mechanics between trunk extension (including pelvic rotation) and ILEX. Our data suggest that strength coaches, personal trainers, and trainees can self-select multi-joint lower-body trunk extension exercises based on preference or variety. However, evidence suggests that neither the BBS nor BHT exercises can meaningfully increase ILEX strength. Since strengthening these muscles might enhance physical and sporting performance we encourage strength coaches and personal trainers to prescribe ILEX exercise.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of a 4-week mesocycle of barbell back squat or barbell hip thrust strength training upon isolated lumbar extension strength

Hammond

Perrin

Steele

et al. 2019

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Longer lower extremity lever arms have been associated with higher joint loads. 49 Furthermore, studies have shown moderate positive correlations between thigh segment length and knee extension moment 62 as well as between stature and knee extensor strength in male adults. 56 Thus, a longer period of growth resulting in greater stature and longer thigh segment lengths may manifest as greater quadriceps strength and thus a tendency toward greater extension during landing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Age at Adult Height and Knee Mechanics During a Drop Vertical Jump in Men

Steffensmeier

Lamont

Metoyer

et al. 2020

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine

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Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are relatively common among younger athletes, with significant physical, psychological, and financial consequences. Research has largely focused on female athletes by identifying specific risk factors for an ACL injury, including variation in pubertal growth timing. There is less known about risk factors in males, and little is known about the effects of pubertal development on ACL injury risk in men. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between an indicator of pubertal growth timing (age at adult height) and biomechanical risk for ACL injuries in men. We hypothesized that earlier age at adult height is correlated with riskier landing biomechanics during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) in men. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 21 recreationally active male students (age range, 20-33 years) were included. Participants completed a questionnaire on age at adult height and limb dominance, and anthropometric measurements were taken. There were 6 DVJ tests performed, with participants landing on a force plate while digital cameras recorded kinematic data from retroreflective markers placed according to the Helen Hayes marker system. Primary outcomes were sagittal and frontal plane knee kinematics and kinetics during contact. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation. Results: In both limbs, age at achieving adult height was significantly negatively correlated with knee flexion/extension angle at toe-off (dominant: r = –0.79, P < .01; nondominant: r = –0.74, P < .01) and with peak flexion (dominant: r = –0.63, P < .01; nondominant: r = –0.70, P < .01) and extension (dominant: r = –0.66, P < .01; nondominant: r = –0.56, P = .01) angles during contact. In the nondominant limb, age at adult height was significantly negatively correlated with varus/valgus angle at initial contact ( r = –0.43; P = .05) and toe-off ( r = –0.44; P = .04) and was positively correlated with peak varus moment during contact ( r = 0.42; P = .06). Age at adult height was also positively correlated with peak vertical ground-reaction force ( r = 0.58; P < .01). Conclusion: Later age at adult height was correlated with riskier landing profiles in this study. This suggests that males with later or longer pubertal growth may have increased mechanical risk for ACL injuries. A better understanding of the effects of pubertal growth on landing biomechanics can improve the early identification of male athletes at greater risk for injuries.

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“…This study and its discussion have focused primarily on single muscle group hypertrophy and single-joint isometric strength gain. The larger question of multi-joint and dynamic strength gain is perhaps more relevant, but unfortunately much more complex (Vigotsky et al 2018).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Methods matter: the relationship between strength and hypertrophy depends on methods of measurement and analysis (v0.2)"

Steele¹

2018

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The relationship between changes in muscle size and strength may be affected by both measurement and statistical approaches, but their effects have not been fully considered or quantified. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to explore how different methods of measurement and analysis can affect inferences surrounding the relationship between hypertrophy and strength gain. Methods: Data from a previous study-in which participants performed eight weeks of elbow flexor training, followed by an 8-week period of detraining-were reanalyzed using different statistical models, including standard between-subject correlations, analysis of covariance, and hierarchical linear modeling. Results: The associative relationship between strength and hypertrophy is highly dependent upon both method/site of measurement and analysis; large differences in variance accounted for (VAF) by the statistical models were observed (VAF = 0-24.1%). Different sites and measurements of muscle size showed a range of correlations coefficients with one another (r = 0.326-0.945). Finally, exploratory analyses revealed moderate-to-strong relationships between within-individual strength-hypertrophy relationships and strength gained over the training period (ρ = 0.36-0.55). Conclusions: Methods of measurement and analysis greatly influence the conclusions that may be drawn from a given dataset. Analyses that do not account for inter-individual differences may underestimate the relationship between hypertrophy and strength gain, and different methods of assessing muscle size will produce different results. It is suggested that robust experimental designs and analysis techniques, which control for different mechanistic sources of strength gain and inter-individual differences (e.g., muscle moment arms, muscle architecture, activation, and normalized muscle force), be employed in future investigations.

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Biomechanical, Anthropometric, and Psychological Determinants of Barbell Back Squat Strength

Cited by 19 publications

References 64 publications

The effects of a 4-week mesocycle of barbell back squat or barbell hip thrust strength training upon isolated lumbar extension strength

The effects of a 4-week mesocycle of barbell back squat or barbell hip thrust strength training upon isolated lumbar extension strength

Relationship Between Age at Adult Height and Knee Mechanics During a Drop Vertical Jump in Men

Peer Review #1 of "Methods matter: the relationship between strength and hypertrophy depends on methods of measurement and analysis (v0.2)"

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