Ra. Panariello et al., THE EFFECT OF THE SQUAT EXERCISE ON ANTERIOR-POSTERIOR KNEE TRANSLATION IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS, American journal of sports medicine, 22(6), 1994, pp. 768-773
Although the squat exercise is considered essential for optimal athlet
ic performance, controversy exists regarding the effect on knee stabil
ity. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the effect
of squat exercises on in vivo knee joint stability of professional fo
otball players. Thirty-two subjects with normal knees participated in
a 21-week off-season training program. Subjects performed power squat
exercises with barbell loads of 130% to 200% body weight twice weekly.
Both knees of each subject were tested by a single examiner with a kn
ee ligament arthrometer before the training program and at 12 and 21 w
eeks. Passive displacements were recorded at 67, 89, and 133 N with th
e knee at 30-degrees and 90-degrees of flexion. Active testing was per
formed with the knee in the same positions. Student's paired t-tests w
ere used to compare pre- and postexercise measures. For all subjects,
no significant differences were found between pre- and postexercise re
sults for active and passive tests. Of the 2440 measurements taken, on
ly 8 demonstrated increased excursions greater than 2 mm. This study d
emonstrates no significant increases in anterior-posterior tibiofemora
l translation in athletes using the squat exercise as part of their of
f-season training program.