An examination of the hamstring and the quadriceps muscle kinematics during the front and back squat in males

Abstract

The aim of the current investigation was to examine the influence of the front and back squat variants on the hamstring and the quadriceps muscles kinematics. Eighteen male participants were recruited with 1 repetition maximum values of 122.7 ±16.4 and 88.7 ±13.9 kg for the back and front squat lifts. Participants completed both back and front squats at 70% of their front squat 1 repetition maximum. The hamstring and the quadriceps muscle kinematics were determined during kinetic situations using motion capture data, in addition to segmental and joint kinematics. Differences between squat conditions were examined using paired samples t-tests.The results showed that there were no differences in either segmental/joint or muscle kinematics between the front and back squat lifts. These findings lead to the conclusion that neither the front nor the back squat conditions differ in terms of their eccentric and concentric recruitment of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles.