title: The existence of a sticking region in free weight squats.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of the sticking region in two legged free weight squats. Fifteen resistance-training males (age 24 ± 4 years, body mass 82 ± 11 kg, body height 179 ± 6 cm) with 6 ± 3 years of resistance-training experience performed 6-RM in free weight squats. The last repetition was analyzed for the existence of a sticking region. Only in 10 out of 15 participants a sticking region was observed. The observed sticking region was much shorter than in the bench press. Furthermore, rectus femoris decreased the EMG activity in contrast to increased EMG activity in biceps femoris around the sticking and surrounding region. No significant change in EMG activity was found for the lateral and medial vastus muscles. It is suggested that a combination of these muscle activity changes could be one of the causes of the existence of the sticking region in free weight squats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Teacher Education of Nord Trøndelag University College, Levanger Norway.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van den Tillaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Teacher Education and Sports of Sogn and Fjordane University College, Norway.
authors.forename: Vidar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Teacher Education and Sports of Sogn and Fjordane University College, Norway.
authors.forename: Atle Hole
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Saeterbakken
keywords: EMG; kinematics; muscle activity; strength