To Squat or Not to Squat

According to some fitness experts, squats are bad for the knees and should never be performed under any circumstances. In reality, however, these sentiments are decidedly misguided. Studies have repeatedly shown the squat to be a secure , effective exercise; when performed glutes workout properly, it poses little risk to those that have healthy patellar function. Even elite athletes who squat several times their bodyweight have few reported injuries directly due to the activity.

In fact, contrary to popular belief, squatting actually places less stress on the knee joint than leg extensions. This has got to do with the way that force is applied during exercise performance. Stay with me here as I need to cover a little exercise physiology.

In the leg extension, loading is applied perpendicular to the long axis of the tibia (one of the bones in the lower leg) - a fact that creates tremendous shear force in the patellar region. Alternatively, loading during the squat is mainly compressive, with forces applied parallel to the long axis of the tibia. Since a joint is best ready to withstand forces from compression as against shear, it therefore follows that squats are more joint-friendly than leg extensions.

What's more, leg extensions tend to overstress the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). During performance, the quadriceps reacts by pulling the tibia forward (a phenomenon called tibial translation). The ACL successively opposes the quadriceps by trying to stop translation of the tibia. These two antithetic actions place a considerable amount of stress on the ACL, and can potentially injure the ligament (and other soft tissue structures, as well).

Squats, on the other hand, have somewhat of a protective effect on the knee ligaments. Due to the multi-joint nature of the squatting movement (both the hip and knee are involved in performance), the hamstrings are activated as co-contractors and exert a counter-regulatory effect on the pull of the quadriceps. The co-contraction of the hamstrings and quads help to neutralize tibial translation, alleviating stress on the ACL.

All things considered, squats are a terrific exercise that works not only the lower body, but a significant portion of the torso, as well. Squat performance requires the assistance of many stabilizer muscles. Without the active participation of those stabilizers, the act of squatting simply cannot happen . Hence, while the glutes and thighs are the prime muscle movers, synergistic muscle action is derived from the abdominals, spinal erectors, rhomboids, trapezius and other muscles. Squats therefore have a systemic effect on anabolism, helping to market overall muscular development.

Further, the squat is an extremely functional exercise. It is used in many activities of daily living. Any time you lift an object from the floor, squatting is involved in the movement. Consequently, squats can help build the type of practical strength and kinesthetic awareness that facilitates better performance of everyday tasks. In many cases it can even help to prevent lifting-related injuries at home and in the workplace.

Now this is not to say that squats are appropriate for all populations. Conditions such as degenerative arthritis and various connective tissue disorders can be contraindications for squatting movements. But it's not the squat, per se, that is harmful; in these afflictions, any form of loaded (or even unloaded) knee flexion and extension can exacerbate a patellar-related injury. Hence, for those with pre-existing knee pathology, caution must be utilized in both the choice and execution of thigh exercises. That said, as long as you have healthy knees, you should have no problem squatting on a regular basis.