A Study on the Relationship between Squat Depth and Ankle Dorsiflexion Range on the Muscle Activation of the Squat among Resistance-Trained Individuals

Chong, Yao Seng (2019) A Study on the Relationship between Squat Depth and Ankle Dorsiflexion Range on the Muscle Activation of the Squat among Resistance-Trained Individuals. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between squat depth and ankle dorsiflexion range on muscle activation of the squat among resistance-trained individuals. A total of 15 resistance trained individuals (Age: 20.20 ± 1.57 years; Weight: 69.40 ± 8.25 kg; Height: 173.33 ± 4.88 cm; Years of Experience in Resistance Training: 4.30 ± 1.49) participated in this study. The subjects underwent 2 preliminary tests of 1 Rep Max squat and Weight Bearing Lunge Test of Ankle Dorsiflexion Angle, as well as body segment length measurements of True Leg Length, Shank Length, Thigh Length and Trunk Length. 4 experimental squat trials with different squat conditions (Full Flat, Parallel Flat, Full Wedge, Parallel Wedge) were done with the EMG to measure muscle activation. Each trial consisted of a standardized warm up with the actual trial of 3 reps with 70% of 1RM of the squat. The results showed that out of the six muscles, only the tibialis anterior showed a significant difference between the Parallel Flat (0.55 ± 0.18 mV) and Parallel Wedge (0.35 ± 0.13 mV) trials, with the Parallel Flat trial having the higher activation, as well as between the Full Flat (0.58 ± 0.20 mV) and Parallel Wedge (0.35 ± 0.13 mV) trials, with the Full Flat trial having the higher activation. According to the comparison between the body segment lengths and muscle activation of the squat, there were significant differences found. The trunk length, thigh length, and shank length showed weak negative correlation in the activation of the vastus lateralis, soleus and tibialis anterior muscles respectively. In conclusion, a Full Flat squat was shown to demonstrate a significantly higher activation of the tibialis anterior compared to the other squat conditions, while the parallel or wedge modifications did not show any significant differences between the muscle activations although there were considerable differences in muscle activation.