Identifying the Primary Kinetic Factors Influencing the Anterior-Posterior Center of Mass Displacement in Barbell Squats: A Factor Regression Analysis

Sensors (Basel). 2025 Jan 20;25(2):572. doi: 10.3390/s25020572.

Abstract

Barbell squats are commonly used in strength training, but the anterior-posterior displacement of the Center of Mass (COM) may impair joint stability and increase injury risk. This study investigates the key factors influencing COM displacement during different squat modes.; Methods: This study recruited 15 male strength training enthusiasts, who performed 60% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the Front Barbell Squat (FBS), High Bar Back Squat (HBBS), and Low Bar Back Squat (LBBS). Joint moments at both the hip, knee, and ankle were collected using a motion capture system and force plates, and a factor regression analysis was conducted using SPSS.; Results: In the FBS, primary factors influencing COM displacement included right knee adduction-abduction (38.59%), knee flexion-extension (31.08%), and hip internal-external rotation (29.83%). In the HBBS, they were right ankle internal-external rotation (19.13%), hip flexion-extension (-19.07%), and left knee flexion-extension (19.05%). In the LBBS, the key factors were left knee adduction-abduction (27.82%), right ankle internal-external rotation (27.59%), and left ankle internal-external rotation (26.12%).; Conclusion: The study identifies key factors affecting COM displacement across squat modes, with knee flexion-extension being dominant in the FBS and hip moments more significant in the HBBS and LBBS. These findings have implications for optimizing squat training and injury prevention strategies.

Keywords: Center of Mass (COM); barbell squat; factor regression analysis; joint moment.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint / physiology
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
  • Hip Joint / physiology
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Knee Joint / physiology
  • Male
  • Range of Motion, Articular* / physiology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Resistance Training* / methods
  • Weight Lifting / physiology
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was sponsored by the Zhejiang Province Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (Grant number: LR22A020002), Ningbo Key Research and Development Program (Grant number: 2022Z196), Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Association Scientific Research Special Fund (ZKKY2023001), Research Academy of Medicine Combining Sports, Ningbo (No. 2023001), the Project of Ningbo Leading Medical &Health Discipline (No. 2022-F15, No. 2022-F22), Ningbo Natural Science Foundation (Grant number: 2022J065), and K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University.