Supramaximal Walkouts and Back Squat Performance

NCT05988762 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00004217
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomized, counterbalanced, crossover study is to determine the effectiveness of performing a supramaximal walkout on enhancing subsequent back squat performance in trained lifters. The main question we aim to answer is whether bar velocity, power output, perceived exertion, and muscle activation are altered when performing the back squat exercise after a supramaximal walkout. On the first visit, participants will be informed of the study protocols before providing oral and written informed consent. Afterwards, participants will complete maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) testing for the quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscle groups to generate a normalization for the electromyography (EMG) measurements. During the second visit, participants will perform a 1RM back squat. The third and fourth visits will be the experimental visits, where they will perform either a supramaximal (110% 1RM) or submaximal (control; 30% 1RM) walkout. A set of 1 back squat at 92.5% 1RM will be performed prior to the walkout to serve as a baseline, then 3 sets of 1 at 92.5% 1RM will be performed afterwards.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

Muscular Strength; Exercise Performance; Squat

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Back Squat Velocity

  Peak and average concentric bar velocity (m/s)

  Baseline (5 minutes before walkout) and immediately after the walkout (3 sets with 5 minutes rest in between each set)

• Back Squat Power Output

  Peak and average concentric power output (W)

  Baseline (5 minutes before walkout) and immediately after the walkout (3 sets with 5 minutes rest in between each set)

• Perceived Effort of Back Squat

  Rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 1-10)

  Baseline (5 minutes before walkout) and immediately after the walkout (3 sets with 5 minutes rest in between each set)

• Muscle Activation during Back Squat

  Electromyography (EMG) Amplitude

  Baseline (5 minutes before walkout) and immediately after the walkout (3 sets with 5 minutes rest in between each set)

Study Arms (2)

Supramaximal Walkout

EXPERIMENTAL

Walkout set performed at 110% 1RM

Other: Supramaximal Walkout

Control (Submaximal Walkout)

EXPERIMENTAL

Walkout set performed at 30% 1RM

Other: Submaximal Walkout

Interventions

Supramaximal Walkout OTHER

Walkout set performed at 110% 1RM. Participant will unrack the weight, step back and brace as if to perform a back squat, hold for 10 seconds, then re-rack the weight without performing the squat.

Supramaximal Walkout

Submaximal Walkout OTHER

Walkout set performed at 30% 1RM. Participant will unrack the weight, step back and brace as if to perform a back squat, hold for 10 seconds, then re-rack the weight without performing the squat.

Control (Submaximal Walkout)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Sex: Male
• Age: 18-45 yr
• RM Back Squat ≥ 1.5x Body Weight

You may not qualify if:

• Musculoskeletal injuries limiting exercise capacity
• Cardiometabolic diseases limiting exercise capacity
• Hasn't performed squats in the past six months
• History of Rhabdomyolysis
• Use of anabolic steroids in the past year

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Florida State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Institute of Sports Sciences & Medicine

Tallahassee, Florida, 32304, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Griest TD, McCarthy CM, Renteria LI, Paterson KGP, Eurich DF, Laskin GR, Ormsbee MJ. Supramaximal Walkouts Protect Against Performance Decrements Experienced in Repeated Sets of Back Squats. J Strength Cond Res. 2025 Jun 1;39(6):617-624. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005085. Epub 2025 Apr 23.

  PMID: 40267419 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Michael Ormsbee, PhD

  Florida State University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants will not be told whether they are performing the supramaximal or submaximal walkout. Black trash bags will be used to cover the weights during the walkout set so that the participant cannot see which condition they are in.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2023
• First Posted: August 14, 2023
• Study Start: August 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2024
• Study Completion: March 14, 2024
• Last Updated: April 4, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)