Validity and Reliability of the Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat 5 Repetition Maximum to Determine Unilateral Leg Strength Symmetry

Helme, M, Bishop, C, Emmonds, S, and Low, C. Validity and reliability of the rear foot elevated split squat 5 repetition maximum to determine unilateral leg strength symmetry. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3269–3275, 2019—The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the rear foot elevated split squat (RFESS) 5 repetition maximum (5RM) test as a field method for measuring unilateral leg strength symmetry. As a validated method of testing symmetry, the RFESS 5RM may be used by strength and conditioning coaches and sports medicine staff to measure the presence of imbalances with minimal equipment and time. Twenty-six subjects (age = 23.8 ± 4.6 years, mass = 88.1 ± 10.7 kg, and height = 1.79 ± 0.1 m) with a minimum 2 years of strength and conditioning experience were recruited. After a familiarization session, subjects performed an incremental 5RM protocol on both legs, on 2 occasions where 3D motion and force data were collected. Moderate reliability of bar load symmetry was found between test and retest conditions correlation (intraclass coefficient = 0.73, 0.33–0.91) with no proportional bias between sessions. Validation of the exercise was analyzed using a correlation between asymmetries in mean set vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) of the lead foot during the concentric phase, with bar load. When all maximal trials, from both test conditions, were analyzed, a most likely large positive correlation (0.57, 0.30–0.76) was found for mean...

Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - November 26, 2019 Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Original Research Source Type: research