Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework

Muscular strength is an essential factor in sports performance and general health, especially for optimizing mechanical power, as well as for injury prevention. The present study biomechanically characterized the half squat (HS) using a systemic structural approach based on mechanical power, called...

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Main Authors: Miguel Rodal, Emilio Manuel Arrayales-Millán, Mirvana Elizabeth Gonzalez-Macías, Jorge Pérez-Gómez, Kostas Gianikellis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Bioengineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/6/603
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author Miguel Rodal
Emilio Manuel Arrayales-Millán
Mirvana Elizabeth Gonzalez-Macías
Jorge Pérez-Gómez
Kostas Gianikellis
author_facet Miguel Rodal
Emilio Manuel Arrayales-Millán
Mirvana Elizabeth Gonzalez-Macías
Jorge Pérez-Gómez
Kostas Gianikellis
author_sort Miguel Rodal
collection DOAJ
description Muscular strength is an essential factor in sports performance and general health, especially for optimizing mechanical power, as well as for injury prevention. The present study biomechanically characterized the half squat (HS) using a systemic structural approach based on mechanical power, called Power-Based Training (PBT), through which four phases of the movement were determined (acceleration and deceleration of lowering and lifting). Five weightlifters from the Mexican national team (categories U17, U20, and U23) participated, who performed five repetitions per set of HS with progressive loads (20%, 35%, 50%, 65%, and 80% of the one repetition maximum). The behavior of the center of mass of the subject–bar system was recorded by photogrammetry, calculating position, velocity, acceleration, mechanical power, and mechanical work. The results showed a significant reduction in velocity, acceleration, and mechanical power as the load increases, as well as variations in the duration and range of displacement per phase. These findings highlight the importance of a detailed analysis to understand the neuromuscular demands of HS and to optimize its application. The PBT approach and global center of mass analysis provide a more accurate view of the mechanics of this exercise, facilitating its application in future research, as well as in performance planning and monitoring.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2306-5354
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Bioengineering
spelling doaj-art-40d7894e8fb14180954867c5d45e88bb2025-08-20T03:26:57ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-06-0112660310.3390/bioengineering12060603Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT FrameworkMiguel Rodal0Emilio Manuel Arrayales-Millán1Mirvana Elizabeth Gonzalez-Macías2Jorge Pérez-Gómez3Kostas Gianikellis4BioẼrgon Research Group, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainLaboratory Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali 21289, BC, MexicoLaboratory Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali 21289, BC, MexicoHealth, Economy, Motricity and Education (HEME) Research Group, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainBioẼrgon Research Group, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainMuscular strength is an essential factor in sports performance and general health, especially for optimizing mechanical power, as well as for injury prevention. The present study biomechanically characterized the half squat (HS) using a systemic structural approach based on mechanical power, called Power-Based Training (PBT), through which four phases of the movement were determined (acceleration and deceleration of lowering and lifting). Five weightlifters from the Mexican national team (categories U17, U20, and U23) participated, who performed five repetitions per set of HS with progressive loads (20%, 35%, 50%, 65%, and 80% of the one repetition maximum). The behavior of the center of mass of the subject–bar system was recorded by photogrammetry, calculating position, velocity, acceleration, mechanical power, and mechanical work. The results showed a significant reduction in velocity, acceleration, and mechanical power as the load increases, as well as variations in the duration and range of displacement per phase. These findings highlight the importance of a detailed analysis to understand the neuromuscular demands of HS and to optimize its application. The PBT approach and global center of mass analysis provide a more accurate view of the mechanics of this exercise, facilitating its application in future research, as well as in performance planning and monitoring.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/6/603half squatpower-based trainingmechanical powerexercise biomechanics
spellingShingle Miguel Rodal
Emilio Manuel Arrayales-Millán
Mirvana Elizabeth Gonzalez-Macías
Jorge Pérez-Gómez
Kostas Gianikellis
Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework
Bioengineering
half squat
power-based training
mechanical power
exercise biomechanics
title Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework
title_full Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework
title_fullStr Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework
title_full_unstemmed Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework
title_short Half Squat Mechanical Analysis Based on PBT Framework
title_sort half squat mechanical analysis based on pbt framework
topic half squat
power-based training
mechanical power
exercise biomechanics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/6/603
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AT mirvanaelizabethgonzalezmacias halfsquatmechanicalanalysisbasedonpbtframework
AT jorgeperezgomez halfsquatmechanicalanalysisbasedonpbtframework
AT kostasgianikellis halfsquatmechanicalanalysisbasedonpbtframework