A Biomechanical Comparison of the Safety-Bar, High-Bar and Low-Bar Squat around the Sticking Region among Recreationally Resistance-Trained Men and Women

Eirik Kristiansen, Stian Larsen, Markus E. Haugen, Eric Helms and Roland van den Tillaar
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Eirik Kristiansen: Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway
Stian Larsen: Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway
Markus E. Haugen: Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway
Eric Helms: Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Roland van den Tillaar: Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-16

Abstract: Barbell placement can affect squat performance around the sticking region. This study compared kinematics, kinetics, and myoelectric activity of the safety-bar squat with the high-bar, and low-bar squat around the sticking region. Six recreationally resistance-trained men (26.3 ± 3.1 years, body mass: 81 ± 7.7 kg) and eight women (22.1 ± 2.2 years, body mass: 65.7 ± 10.5 kg) performed three repetition maximums in all three squat conditions. The participants lifted the least load with the safety bar followed by the high-bar and then the low-bar squat. Greater myoelectric activity of the gluteus maximus was observed during safety-bar squats than high-bar squats. Also, larger knee extension moments were observed for the safety bar compared with low-bar squat. Men had higher myoelectric activity in the safety-bar condition for the gluteus maximus during all regions in comparison with women, and greater knee valgus at the second occurrence of peak barbell velocity. Our findings suggest that the more upright torso inclination during the safety-bar could allow greater gluteus maximus contribution to the hip extensor moment. Moreover, low-bar squats allowed the greatest loads to be lifted, followed by the high-bar and safety-bar squats, possibly due to the larger hip moments and similar knee moments compared to the other squat conditions. Therefore, when the goal is to lift the greatest load possible among recreationally trained men and women, they should first attempt squatting with a low-bar technique, and if the goal is to increase myoelectric activity in the gluteus maximus, a safety-bar squat may be the more effective than the high- bar squat.

Keywords: squat; strength; inverse dynamics; myoelectric activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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