The Acute Effect of Squat Exercises Performed at Different Depths on Muscle Activation and Jump Performance

NCT07543237 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-671169
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed three sets of squats at their 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load across three different depths. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during each set, while CMJ performance was assessed before and after the squat protocols.

Conditions

Healthy; Physical Performance

Keywords

Partial squat; Parallel squat; Full squat; Surface electromyography; Counter movement jump

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Activation (Surface Electromyography - sEMG)

  Mean and peak electrical activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles during the squat exercise.

  During the squat protocol (at the time of the intervention).

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Performance

  Jump height measured in centimeters to assess acute changes in explosive power.

  Baseline (pre-test) and 5 minutes after the completion of the squat protocol (post-test).

Study Arms (3)

Partial Squat

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform 3 sets of partial back squats at 5RM load (approximately 45° knee flexion).

Other: Partial Squat Exercise

Parallel Squat

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform 3 sets of parallel back squats at 5RM load (approximately 90° knee flexion).

Other: Parallel Squat Exercise

Full Squat

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform 3 sets of full back squats at 5RM load (approximately 140° knee flexion).

Other: Full Squat Exercise

Interventions

Partial Squat Exercise OTHER

3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets.

Partial Squat

Parallel Squat Exercise OTHER

3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets.

Parallel Squat

Full Squat Exercise OTHER

3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets.

Full Squat

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Denizli, Denizli, 20160, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 15, 2026
• First Posted: April 21, 2026
• Study Start: April 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 16, 2025
• Study Completion: May 16, 2025
• Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)