Michael Lawrence and Lara Carlson publish in the ‘Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research’
Michael Lawrence, M.S., Motion Analysis Laboratory manager in the Department of Physical Therapy, and Lara Carlson, DPE., FACSM, associate professor in the Westbrook College of Health Professions and the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, recently published their research in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
The publication is titled "Effects of an unstable load on force and muscle activation during a parallel back squat." The research focused on squatting with an unstable barbell and its effects on force production and muscle activity in the stabilizing and prime movers of lower extremities.
The unstable load resulted in a small (3.9 percent), but significant decrease in peak vertical ground reaction force. The unstable load also produced greater muscle activation in the rectus abdominus, external oblique, and soleus.
The findings of this study suggest squatting with an unstable load will increase activation of the stabilizing musculature; and while force decrements were statistically significant, the decrease was so small it may not be relevant to practitioners.