The Squat Changes When the Load Goes Up

Kinematics Across 60% to 1RM

Opener

A light squat and a near-max squat are not the same movement with a different number on the bar.

Coaches talk about depth, torso angle, and bar speed as if they stay fixed while only the load changes. In trained lifters, they don't. The pattern shifts as you climb toward a one-rep max.

A 2024 biomechanics study from Palermo put cameras on that claim.

---

1. What they measured

The question was simple: how do joint angles and barbell motion change in the back squat as load goes from moderate to maximal in competitive strength athletes.

Angular kinematics covered the hip, knee, and ankle. Linear kinematics covered barbell timing, distance, speed, and acceleration in the descent and ascent.

Hip and knee angles were scored with 180° as full extension. At the bottom of the squat, a smaller number means more flexion. Ankle angles used 90° as the reference.

2. Who lifted, and how

Seventeen competitive athletes: 14 powerlifters and 3 weightlifters (12 men, 5 women). Age 26.9 ± 8.9 years, body mass 73.3 ± 13.6 kg, height 171 ± 8 cm. Inclusion required at least 3 years of continuous competition experience at regional or national level, at least 3 workouts per week, and relative strength of at least 1.5× body mass.