Adding Mini-squat Exercises to Leg Press Exercise on Quadriceps and Hamstring Strength and H:Q Ratio in Athletes

Cairo University60 enrolled

Overview

This study will try to answer the following question: Will adding mini-squat exercises at different angles (30°,45°, and 60°) to leg press exercise influence quadriceps and hamstring strength and H:Q angle in football players?

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of exercise selection and angle specificity in resistance training, showing that different knee angles result in varied activation patterns in the quadriceps and hamstrings. However, current literature offers limited insight into the effects of integrating mini squat exercises with leg press training on injury prevention and functional outcomes in athletic populations. In particular, there is a lack of literature on how such a combined leg press and mini squat exercise at different angles influences the H:Q ratio, lower limb neuromuscular control, and performance in young male football players. Therefore, the present study aims to examine whether incorporating mini squats performed at varying knee flexion angles into a leg press training program can improve muscle balance and lower limb strength in football players. The findings may provide valuable guidance for physiotherapists, coaches, and sports scientists in developing evidence-based, angle-specific exercise protocols tailored to the functional demands of athletes.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Exercise

Interventions

mini-squat exercises at 30°PROCEDURE

mini-squat exercises at 30° knee flexion and leg press exercises

mini-squat exercises at 45°PROCEDURE

mini-squat exercises at 45° knee flexion and leg press exercises

mini-squat exercises at 60°PROCEDURE

mini-squat exercises at 60°and leg press exercises

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male football players aged between 18-30 years (Scoz et al., 2021). 2. Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² (Walsh et al., 2018 \& Sattar\& Lean, 2009). 3. Currently training or playing with a registered football club/team. 4. Hamstring-to-Quadriceps (HQ) strength ratio of ≥ 0.6 (Çelebi et al., 2018). 5. Having no oral or injectable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), 2weeks before starting study. 6. Having no oral injectable corticosteroids 3 months before starting the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of acute or chronic injury to the knee, hip, or ankle joint 2. Undergoing any other rehabilitation or physical therapy programs during the six weeks before starting the study 3. Diagnosed with neurological or systemic disorders affecting muscle function or balance 4. Participation in competitive sports or high-intensity training outside the study protocol during the study period 5. Presence of any contraindication to exercise, such as uncontrolled hypertension or heart conditions. 6. Clinically free from lower limb injuries. 7. Having no history of neurological, cardiovascular, or musculoskeletal disorders.

Locations (1)

Jazan University Hospital

Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Measurement of quadriceps strength

* The participant will be seated on the isokinetic dynamometer chair, with proper posture and alignment ensured. * The lateral femoral epicondyle (the anatomical axis of the knee joint) will be aligned with the mechanical axis of the dynamometer arm. * The lever arm of the dynamometer will be securely attached to the participant's lower leg, just above the ankle, using a padded cuff. * The participant will be instructed to perform maximal knee extension against the resistance of the device, moving from a flexed to an extended position. * The test will be conducted unilaterally, assessing one leg at a time. * The participant will be encouraged to exert maximal effort during each repetition. * The isokinetic device will record key outcome measures including peak torque (Nm), average power, and total work for each repetition. These values will be used to quantify quadriceps strength.

Time frame: 1.5 months

Measurement of hamstrings muscle strength

All previously described quadriceps muscle evaluation procedures will be applied for the hamstrings muscle strength test; however, the range of motion will be set from full knee extension, and the participant will be instructed to actively bend the knee against the resistance of the device to 90°

Time frame: 1.5 months

Hamstring to quadriceps H:Q ratio calculation

The H-Q ratio refers to the relative strength of the hamstring muscles compared to the quadriceps, typically measured under isokinetic conditions (at the same angular velocity). It is calculated as the maximal concentric knee flexion strength divided by maximal concentric knee extension strength.

Time frame: 1.5 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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