Comparison of muscle activation of hip belt squat and barbell back squat techniques

BACKGROUND: Hip belt squats are believed to have been introduced in 1970. By removing the load from the shoulders and upper trapezius, the hip belt squat places emphasis on the legs with less load on the spine. No peer-reviewed research exists on the muscle recruitment patterns of a hip belt squat, or how it compares in muscle activation to other squatting activities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine lower extremity muscle activation in a hip belt squat (SquatMax = MD) in comparison with a barbell back squat. METHODS: Thirteen participants performed four repetitions of an 8-RM squat using three different techniques: hip belt squat without a band, hip belt squat with a band, and barbell back squat. Electromyographic data were collected from six muscles: quadriceps, biceps femoris, hip adductors, hip abductors, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed no significant difference in muscle activity between devices. The only muscle group statistically different between genders was the gastrocnemius (p = 0.04). Hip adductor activity was lowest and hip abductor activity was highest when performing a hip belt squat with the band for both genders. Likewise, the adductor to hamstring ratio was lowest with the hip belt squat. CONCLUSIONS: Given the lack of significant difference in the muscle activity between the squat techniques, one needs to look at other attributes to determine both the scientific and, consequently, the practical value. Given the placement of the belt around the pelvis, one positive attribute for the hip belt squat is the ability to unload the shoulders and spine. Another positive attribute for the hip belt squat is the higher hip abductor to adductor ratio. This could be very important for injury prevention and patella tracking. While the back squat has slightly higher hamstring recruitment, which is important in ACL injury prevention, the hip belt squat may address this by offsetting the free weight with the use of an additional band. If a free weight hip belt squat device is available, it may be a better alternative to the traditional barbell squat technique.