One of the fundamental exercises for lower-limb strength training is the squat. However, different modes of this exercise could lead to different results.
Federico Donghi, head of the Training Department at the Mapei Sport Research Centre, explains: «A Japanese research group divided 17 subjects into two groups and made them train for 10 weeks twice a week. One group did the full squat and one group did the half squat (so they bent their knees less, lowered their knees less). What they observed was that the group that performed the full squat increased the volume of the gluteus maximus muscle significantly more than the group that performed the half squat. This is why special attention must be paid to the way the exercise is performed».
Watch the latest episode of Cubetti di Sapere column showing the correct execution of the squat.