Context: A limitation of previous studies on squatting mechanics is that the influence of trunk and shank inclination on the knee-extensor moment (KEM) has been studied in isolation. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to determine the influence of segment orientation on the KEM during freestanding barbell squatting. Design: Repeated-measures cross sectional. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Sixteen healthy individuals (8 males and 8 females). Intervention: Each participant performed 8 squat conditions in which shank and trunk inclinations were manipulated. Main Outcome Measures: 3D kinematic and kinetic data were collected at 250 and 1500 Hz, respectively. Regression analysis was conducted to identify the individual relationships between the KEM and the trunk and shank inclination at 60° and 90° of knee flexion. To identify the best predictor(s) of the KEM, stepwise regression was implemented. Results: Increased shank inclination increased the KEM (P < .001, R2 = .21–.25). Conversely, increased trunk inclination decreased the KEM (P < .001, R2 = .49–.50). For the stepwise regression, trunk inclination entered first and explained the greatest variance in the KEM (all P < .001, R2 = .49–.50). Shank inclination entered second (all P < .010, R2 = .53–.54) and explained an additional 3% to 5% of the variance. Conclusions: Our results confirm that inclination of the trunk and shank have an opposing relationship with the KEM. Increased forward shank posture increases the KEM, while increased forward trunk posture decreases the KEM. However, when viewed in combination, the trunk was the superior predictor of the KEM, highlighting the fact that increased quadriceps demand created by a forward shank can be offset by trunk inclination.

Sagittal plane inclination of the trunk and tibia have been shown to independently modulate hip and knee extensor moments during squatting. The purpose of this study was to determine if the difference between sagittal plane trunk and tibia inclinations can be used to approximate the relative demand of the hip and knee extensors across a range of squatting conditions. Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained from 16 participants during 8 squat conditions in which trunk and tibia inclination were manipulated. The average hip/knee extensor moment ratio (HKR) was calculated during the lowering (eccentric) phase of each squat condition using inverse dynamics equations. Linear regression evaluated the association between the difference in trunk and tibia inclination at peak knee flexion and the average HKR. Across all squat conditions, the difference between trunk and tibia inclinations explained 70% of the variance in the average HKR (p < 0.001). The squat was knee extensor biased (HKR ≤ 1.0) when the tibia was at least 8 degrees more inclined than the trunk. The results of this study indicate that the relationship between sagittal plane trunk and tibia inclination can be used to estimate the relative demand of the hip and knee extensors.

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