Front squat vs. Back squat
Squats are a great exercise to incorporate into your fitness
program. There are many variations of
squats, but two of the most common are the front squat and the back squat. Before you pick which exercise you would like
to incorporate into your workout, there are some important factors to consider
including previous/current injuries; current pain; your comfort level with the
exercise, as well as the equipment; and what is the goal of your workout?
When comparing the front squat and the back squat, research
indicates that bar position does not influence muscle activity. Both types of squats effectively recruit the
large muscles of the core and legs, when done properly. However, the back squat causes significantly
increased compressive forces at the knee joints. Therefore, front squats may be better for
individuals with knee pain or injuries, and for long-term joint health
Regardless of the type of squats you incorporate into your
fitness program, each of these exercises are designed to increase muscle
strength and endurance of multiple large muscles/muscle groups within the legs
and core. Don’t be afraid to use variety
within your workout. I have proposed
this challenge previously, but I will do so again, think about how can you
slightly change an exercise or build upon it without making big changes to the
amount of weight you are using.
By: J. Scott, DPT, ATC, CSCS, TSAC-F
Sources: Livestrong.com
Gullett et al. A
biomechanical comparison of back and front squats in healthy trained
individuals. Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research. 2009;23(1):284-292.
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