A Comparison of Quadriceps Electromyographic Activ

QuantumPositron

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The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 379–382.
A Comparison of Quadriceps Electromyographic Activity With the Position of the Foot During the Parallel Squat
GARETH BOYDEN, JOANNA KINGMAN, and ROSEMARY DYSON

Centre for Sports Sciences, University College Chichester, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

Six experienced lifters performed 3 squats in each of 4 foot positions: -10° inward, 0°, 10° outward, and 20° outward. These were performed at 2 weight conditions: 65 and 75% of 1 repetition maximum. Surface electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris on the right leg was analyzed in terms of the activity duration and peak levels of activity. Results and analysis of variance indicated that the foot rotation position did not influence the mean peak activity or mean duration of activity of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, or rectus femoris. The practice of adopting foot rotation to selectively strengthen individual muscles of the quadriceps group was not supported by this study, which involved smaller, more readily adopted, and comfortable levels of foot rotation than did those previously investigated.
 
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(QuantumPositron @ Feb. 02 2008,14:25)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">The practice of adopting foot rotation to selectively strengthen individual muscles of the quadriceps group was not supported by this study...</div>
So we just shut up and squat...?
smile.gif
 
The practice of foot rotation is also dangerous IMO, as Steve Jones may attest to after his accident. I think the reason seasoned lifters allow that the foot should be pointed in the direction of the knees is to protect the ankles, eliminating side thrust torque at that point. But it's very interesting to know that turning the foot didn't give any mechanical or other advantage anyway.
Good one.
Legee...loved the pic!
 
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