Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2007):

The acute effects of heavy back and front squats on speed during forty-meter sprint trials.

Full Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of performing heavy back squats (HBS) and heavy front squats (HFS) on the average speed during each 10-m interval of 40-m sprint trials. In a randomized, cross-over design, 10 strength-trained men performed a HBS, HFS, or control treatment before performing three 40-m sprint trials separated by 3 minutes. The HBS and HFS treatments consisted of performing parallel back or front squats with 30%, 50%, and 70% of the subject's 1 repetition maximum after 5 minutes of cycling. The control treatment consisted of cycling for 5 minutes. The sprint trials were performed 4 minutes after completing the HBS, HFS, or control treatments. Significant increases in speed were found during the 10- to 20-m interval for the HBS compared with the control treatment (mean difference, 0.12 m x s(-1); 95% likely range, 0.05-0.18 m x s(-1); P = 0.001). During the 30- to 40-m interval, HBS produced significantly greater speeds compared with the HFS treatment (mean difference, 0.24 m x s(-1); 95% likely range, 0.02-0.45 m x s(-1); P = 0.034) and the control treatment (mean difference, 0.18 m x s(-1); 95% likely range, 0.03-0.32 m x s(-1); P = 0.021). The differing effects of the treatments may reflect different levels of muscular activation or different mechanical aspects of the squat exercises. Similarly, the multidimensional nature of sprint running means that other specific exercises may confer improvements in sprinting performance during other intervals. It is suggested that coaches could incorporate HBS into the warm-up procedure of athletes to improve sprinting performance.

Author information

Author/s: Yetter, Mike (M); Moir, Gavin L (GL);

Affiliation: Exercise Science Department, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association (J Strength Cond Res), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jan; vol 22 (issue 1) : pp 159-65

Dates: Created 2008/02/25; Completed 2008/04/07;

PMID: 18296970, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Abdominal Muscles - physiology Adult Athletic Performance Cross-Over Studies Humans Male Muscle Strength - physiology Muscle, Skeletal - physiology

Pectoralis Muscles - physiology Physical Education and Training - methods Probability Reference Values Running - physiology Sensitivity and Specificity Time Factors Weight Lifting

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