Are Anthropometric Measures, Range of Motion, or Movement Control Tests Associated with Lumbopelvic Flexion during Barbell Back Squats?
Lars Berglund, Fredrik Öhberg, Edit Strömbäck and 1 others
PMID 39229451WHAT IT FOUND
In experienced lifters, more ankle dorsiflexion range went with more low back and pelvis flexion during a barbell back squat.
Body proportions, hip range, and low-load control tests did not go with that flexion.
Key findings
01Four ankle dorsiflexion measures were associated with lumbopelvic flexion during the back squat.
02Anthropometric factors, hip range of motion, and the lumbopelvic movement control test battery were not associated with lumbopelvic flexion during the back squat.
03All participants flexed their lumbopelvic region during the back squat, with a mean of 18.4 degrees.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 18 experienced lifters were studied, so results may not apply to beginners or people with pain that limits squatting. The study was cross-sectional and examined associations. One participant was excluded for data error. Sensors were attached to the skin and may have moved during the lifts. No reliability calculations were included for anthropometry, range of motion, or movement control measures. Many variables were tested in a small sample, which raises the chance of both false positive and false negative findings. Sex differences were seen in some measures, but sex was not controlled in the regression because the sample was small. Starting position and stance width were not standardized, and squat depth was only set to a minimum. Eight participants reported pain in the low back, hip, or knee, although none said it hindered the squat.
Declared interests
One author is a shareholder of AnyMo AB, the movement sensor company used, but did not receive financial payments for the study. The other authors declared no conflicts.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that limited ankle dorsiflexion causes more low back flexion during squats. The study was cross-sectional and examined associations, and the significant ankle findings were in the opposite direction.