A Kinematic Study on the Use of Overhead Squat Exercise with Elastic Resistance on the Shoulder Kinetic Chain Approach

<b>Background:</b> The overhead squat movement involves various bodily structures, but the interaction with three-dimensional elastic resistance along the kinetic chain approach requires further understanding. <b>Objectives</b>: We aim to describe and compare scapular and tru...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fagner Luiz Pacheco Salles, Augusto Gil Pascoal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/97
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:<b>Background:</b> The overhead squat movement involves various bodily structures, but the interaction with three-dimensional elastic resistance along the kinetic chain approach requires further understanding. <b>Objectives</b>: We aim to describe and compare scapular and trunk kinematics during an overhead squat under different external resistance conditions. <b>Methods</b>: The three-dimensional shoulder and trunk kinematics of 19 male participants were captured at 15-degree intervals, from 30 to 120 degrees, during the overhead squat movement and analyzed by phase. <b>Results</b>: Scapular posterior tilt was significantly affected by resistance during the UNLOAD phase (<i>p</i> = 0.005, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.26). Significant resistance-by-arm elevation interactions were found for scapular upward rotation during the LOAD phase (<i>p</i> = 0.003, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.19) and UNLOAD phase <i>(p <</i> 0.001, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.24); for scapular internal rotation during both the LOAD (<i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.37) and UNLOAD phases (<i>p</i> = 0.006, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.19); and for scapular posterior tilt during both the LOAD (<i>p</i> = 0.003, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.26) and the UNLOAD phases (<i>p</i> = 0.006, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.21). Trunk flexion/extension showed a significant effect on resistance during the LOAD phase (<i>p</i> = 0.008, η<sup>2</sup>ₚ = 0.24). <b>Conclusions</b>: Increasing resistance through elastic resistance significantly improves scapular kinematics via the trunk during arm elevation. This underscores the potential of the overhead squat movement as a valuable tool for assessing and treating scapular and trunk dysfunction.
ISSN:2411-5142