The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats
The current study investigated the effects of barbell placement on kinematics and muscle activity during the sticking region of back squats. Ten healthy medium- to well-trained male powerlifters [age 26.1 ± 11.2 years, body mass 90.2 ± 18.3 kg, height 1.83 ± 0.09 m, five repetition maximum (5RM) 158...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2020-11-01
|
Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2020.604177/full |
id |
doaj-b29975778b4c4f5cb343d79c0304e8a1 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-b29975778b4c4f5cb343d79c0304e8a12020-11-25T04:07:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672020-11-01210.3389/fspor.2020.604177604177The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in SquatsRoland van den TillaarTom Roar KnutliStian LarsenThe current study investigated the effects of barbell placement on kinematics and muscle activity during the sticking region of back squats. Ten healthy medium- to well-trained male powerlifters [age 26.1 ± 11.2 years, body mass 90.2 ± 18.3 kg, height 1.83 ± 0.09 m, five repetition maximum (5RM) 158 ± 29 kg] with at least 3 years of resistance-training experience were recruited. In a single session, participants performed 5RM movements using high bar and low bar squats, where absolute load, descent depth, and stance width were matched between squat conditions. The final repetition was analyzed using 3D kinematics and electromyography (EMG) around the sticking region. No differences in barbell and joint kinematics were observed in any phase, between both barbell modalities. Increased muscle activity in the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and lower part of the erector spinae with the high bar, when compared with low bar conditions, was recorded. Furthermore, the gluteus maximus and medius had increased muscle activity over the three regions (pre-sticking > sticking > post-sticking), while the erector spinae, soleus, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris experienced decreased muscle activity during the ascending phase. When depth and stance width were matched, the low bar technique was associated with lower erector spinae and quadriceps activity than the high bar technique. Thus, when the goal is to maximally activate knee extensors and the external load is matched, high bar placement would appear preferable.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2020.604177/fullEMGresistance exercisepowerliftinghigh barlow bar |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Roland van den Tillaar Tom Roar Knutli Stian Larsen |
spellingShingle |
Roland van den Tillaar Tom Roar Knutli Stian Larsen The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats Frontiers in Sports and Active Living EMG resistance exercise powerlifting high bar low bar |
author_facet |
Roland van den Tillaar Tom Roar Knutli Stian Larsen |
author_sort |
Roland van den Tillaar |
title |
The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats |
title_short |
The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats |
title_full |
The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats |
title_fullStr |
The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats |
title_sort |
effects of barbell placement on kinematics and muscle activation around the sticking region in squats |
publisher |
Frontiers Media S.A. |
series |
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
issn |
2624-9367 |
publishDate |
2020-11-01 |
description |
The current study investigated the effects of barbell placement on kinematics and muscle activity during the sticking region of back squats. Ten healthy medium- to well-trained male powerlifters [age 26.1 ± 11.2 years, body mass 90.2 ± 18.3 kg, height 1.83 ± 0.09 m, five repetition maximum (5RM) 158 ± 29 kg] with at least 3 years of resistance-training experience were recruited. In a single session, participants performed 5RM movements using high bar and low bar squats, where absolute load, descent depth, and stance width were matched between squat conditions. The final repetition was analyzed using 3D kinematics and electromyography (EMG) around the sticking region. No differences in barbell and joint kinematics were observed in any phase, between both barbell modalities. Increased muscle activity in the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and lower part of the erector spinae with the high bar, when compared with low bar conditions, was recorded. Furthermore, the gluteus maximus and medius had increased muscle activity over the three regions (pre-sticking > sticking > post-sticking), while the erector spinae, soleus, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris experienced decreased muscle activity during the ascending phase. When depth and stance width were matched, the low bar technique was associated with lower erector spinae and quadriceps activity than the high bar technique. Thus, when the goal is to maximally activate knee extensors and the external load is matched, high bar placement would appear preferable. |
topic |
EMG resistance exercise powerlifting high bar low bar |
url |
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2020.604177/full |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT rolandvandentillaar theeffectsofbarbellplacementonkinematicsandmuscleactivationaroundthestickingregioninsquats AT tomroarknutli theeffectsofbarbellplacementonkinematicsandmuscleactivationaroundthestickingregioninsquats AT stianlarsen theeffectsofbarbellplacementonkinematicsandmuscleactivationaroundthestickingregioninsquats AT rolandvandentillaar effectsofbarbellplacementonkinematicsandmuscleactivationaroundthestickingregioninsquats AT tomroarknutli effectsofbarbellplacementonkinematicsandmuscleactivationaroundthestickingregioninsquats AT stianlarsen effectsofbarbellplacementonkinematicsandmuscleactivationaroundthestickingregioninsquats |
_version_ |
1724427760272670720 |