Kinetics, Kinematics, and Muscle Activity Patterns During Back Squat With Different Contributions of Elastic...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Elastic bands are commonly used in resistance training to enhance back squats.
• Previous research indicates benefits of elastic bands, but optimal resistance levels and their impact on neuromuscular performance are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of varying elastic band resistance on force, velocity, power, and muscle activity during back squats.
• To compare neuromuscular responses across different elastic resistance contributions in the back squat exercise.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen basketball players completed back squats at 85% of their 1-repetition maximum.
• Four conditions were tested: free weight only, and elastic bands providing 20%, 30%, and 40% of the total load.
• The eccentric and concentric phases were analyzed in upper, middle, and bottom portions.

Main Results:

• Mean velocity increased progressively with higher elastic resistance during the eccentric phase.
• Muscle activity in the vastus medialis and rectus femoris significantly increased with the highest elastic resistance.
• Mean power and rate of force development significantly improved during the concentric phase with increased elastic resistance.
• Vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscle activity showed significant improvements with the highest elastic resistance.

Conclusions:

• Increasing elastic resistance during back squats enhances velocity, power, and rate of force development.
• Specific muscle activation, particularly in the vastus muscles, is significantly improved with higher elastic resistance.
• Elastic bands offer a viable method to augment neuromuscular adaptations in back squat training.