Abstract
The aim was to compare lower-limb power, force, and velocity capabilities between
squat and leg press movements. Ten healthy sportsmen performed ballistic lower-limb
push-offs against 5-to-12 different loads during both the squat and leg press. Individual
linear force-velocity and polynomial power-velocity relationships were determined
for both movements from push-off mean force and velocity measured continuously with
a pressure sensor and linear encoder. Maximal power output, theoretical maximal force
and velocity, force-velocity profile and optimal velocity were computed. During the
squat, maximal power output (17.7±3.59 vs. 10.9±1.39 W·kg−1), theoretical maximal velocity (1.66±0.29 vs. 0.88±0.18 m·s−1), optimal velocity (0.839±0.144 vs. 0.465±0.107 m·s−1), and force-velocity profile (−27.2±8.5 vs. −64.3±29.5 N·s·m−1·kg−1) values were significantly higher than during the leg press (p=0.000, effect size=1.72–3.23),
whereas theoretical maximal force values (43.1±8.6 vs. 51.9±14.0 N·kg−1, p=0.034, effect size=0.75) were significantly lower. The mechanical capabilities
of the lower-limb extensors were different in the squat compared with the leg press
with higher maximal power due to much higher velocity capabilities (e.g. ability to
produce force at high velocities) even if moderately lower maximal force qualities.
Key words
force-velocity relationships - strength training - maximal power - multi-joint lower-limb
extension
