The Kinematic Differences Between a Barbell Back Squat Wearing Weightlifting Shoes and Barefoot

Abstract: Abstract Background: The squat is one of the most used exercises in the field of strength and conditioning. It is included as a core exercise in many sports training programmes to enhance athletic performance due to its biomechanical and neuromuscular similarities of a wide range of athletic movements. The barbell squat commonly used by athletes participating in resistance training and it is generally performed using regular athletic shoes or specially designed weightlifting shoes. However it is now getting more common to perform the barbell back squat in barefoot or in barefoot-inspired foot wear. Weightlifting shoes may be well known to weightlifters but to the noncompetitive lifters and professional athletes they are in general unfamiliar. It is believed that the structure of the weightlifting shoe supports proper squat mechanism. There is however limited scientific data reporting on the use of weightlifting shoes and therefore, it may be needed to investigate how weightlifting shoes affects the lower body lifting kinematics in the back squat compared to other conditions. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the kinematic differences that appears in the sagittal plane when performing a barbell back squat wearing weightlifting shoes and barefoot. Method: Fifteen healthy participants (n=15) completed the study. The study included the barbell back squat in three sets of three repetitions on 50, 60 and 70% of the participant’s 1RM. The participants performed the movement in both weightlifting shoes and barefoot in an order randomly chosen and all movements was recorded with a digital camera from the sagittal plane. Results: The results showed that the angles were greater in the weightlifting shoe condition on all percentage. The results showed that there was no statistical significance in the hip angle at 50% of 1RM (p= 0,370) or at 70% (p = 0,053) but a statistical significance in the hip angle at 60 % (p = 0,028). The results showed no statistical significance in the ankle angle at 50% of 1RM (p = 0,997), 60% (p = 0,182) or 70 % (p = 0,332). Conclusion: Findings from this study did not demonstrate that there was a significant difference between performing a barbell back squat in weightlifting shoes and barefoot. More research is needed to investigate and compare more variables in the difference between performing a barbell back squat wearing weightlifting shoes and barefoot.