Effect of soft tissue, range of motion and muscle strength on deep squatting

Abstract

The purpose was to clarify the effects of soft tissues such as muscles and fat, range of motion of the hip, knee and ankle, knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion muscle strength and muscle activity on deep squatting. The participants were 18 healthy university students. Physical characteristics, circumference, subcutaneous fat thickness, and range of motion were measured. After that, they performed deep squatting and lower limb muscle strength was measured. Muscle activities in lower limb during performance was also measured. Statistical tests were performed on the differences between the able group and the unable group, with each item as the dependent variable. Body weight, BMI, abdominal circumference, and tibialis anterior muscle activity were significantly lower in the able group (able to perform a deep squat), than in the unable group. Additionally, range of motion of the hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion were significantly higher in the able group than in the unable group. It was clarified that soft tissues characteristics are connected to deep squatting in addition to range of motion.