Affiliations: [a] Institute for Physical Therapy Education, Widener University, Chester, PA, USA | [b] Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute, West Norriton, PA, USA | [c] California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Dawn T. Gulick, Institute for Physical Therapy Education, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013, USA. Tel.: +1 610 499 1287; Fax: +1 610 499 1231; E-mail: dtgulick@widener.edu
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Hip belt squats are believed to have been
introduced in 1970. By removing the load from the shoulders and upper
trapezius, the hip belt squat places emphasis on the legs with less load on
the spine. No peer-reviewed research exists on the muscle recruitment
patterns of a hip belt squat, or how it compares in muscle activation to
other squatting activities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine
lower extremity muscle activation in a hip belt squat (SquatMax = MD) in
comparison with a barbell back squat. METHODS: Thirteen participants performed four
repetitions of an 8-RM squat using three different techniques: hip belt
squat without a band, hip belt squat with a band, and barbell back squat.
Electromyographic data were collected from six muscles: quadriceps, biceps
femoris, hip adductors, hip abductors, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed no significant difference in
muscle activity between devices. The only muscle group statistically
different between genders was the gastrocnemius (p = 0.04). Hip adductor
activity was lowest and hip abductor activity was highest when performing a
hip belt squat with the band for both genders. Likewise, the adductor to
hamstring ratio was lowest with the hip belt squat. CONCLUSIONS: Given the lack of significant difference
in the muscle activity between the squat techniques, one needs to look at
other attributes to determine both the scientific and, consequently, the
practical value. Given the placement of the belt around the pelvis, one
positive attribute for the hip belt squat is the ability to unload the
shoulders and spine. Another positive attribute for the hip belt squat is
the higher hip abductor to adductor ratio. This could be very important for
injury prevention and patella tracking. While the back squat has slightly
higher hamstring recruitment, which is important in ACL injury prevention,
the hip belt squat may address this by offsetting the free weight with the
use of an additional band. If a free weight hip belt squat device is
available, it may be a better alternative to the traditional barbell squat
technique.
Keywords: Back squat, belt squat, muscle recruitment
