A Squatting Theory??

Expert Discussion Strength Training
1

Ok, i can be wrong in so many ways but bare with me. and if i am wrong, someone please correct me.

We all know that top speed athletes squat. squatting helps build a strong leg foundation and also stability. many sprinters rely alot on the squat as their main leg exercises, and they do throw in some cleans, or front squats to mix things up, but one thing remains the main, most squat. and they squat hard, heavy and deep.

i have read many articles stating that squatting heavy can also injure your knees and lower-back!? i could be wrong , and if i am, say. but for the rest of this post, i will be having the mindset that squatting is bad for knees and back.

so i was thinking, why do sprinters squat heavy? if squatting is going to wreck their knees and back, why? i think it would be a bit hard to sprint with wrecked knees.

however, other people see, why do some sprinters choose not to squat? if they do proper form, and don’t outdo what they can do, they should be right.

I guess i am all over the shop at the moment. but what are people’s thoughts?

does squatting heavy really ruin the knees?
should sprinters squat heavy if it does?
what are some alternatives?

Richo

2

man who have you been getting advice from, squatting does not ruin the knees, back or any other body part. any movement could be dangerous if not taught correctly. i think sprinters should squat heavy, deep and move the bar fast. alternatives to the back squat:

1: front squat
2: deadlift all variations
3: single leg squats and other single movements

3

ok, thanks for that.

i think it is just an old-age myth and i haven’t been able to get rid of it until now.

well since it doesn’t ruin the knees, heck, go deep, go heavy and go explosive

4

yea richo squatting does not hurt your knees. It could hurt your back if you use bad form and heavy weights.

I read somewhere that landing from a jump is six times worse than squatting for your knees. Apply that how you like.

BTW I do believe that squatting will help all athletes but there are a few sprinters who dont really touch weights. For example lewis and kim c.

5

You just have to make sure that you do not “bounce” at the bottom of a full squat and like other forum members said, “Proper form is a must”.

If you have not learned how to squat properly with good form and the right tempo (speed of the lift) then you will screw up your back and knees!

6

learn to squat and thank me later. but really, i would also try some box squatting and learn to do those correctly. some cues that help a lot are to sit down and back onto the box and then drive the head and chest up and into the bar. then finish the movement by driving the hips(pelvi thrust). the driving of the head and chest up and into the bar really does help with any type of back squats. good luck.
AC
p.s. also the low bar squat seems to work best in MOST cases for power but takes some getting used to.

7

Squating strengthens the ligaments and connective around the knee.