Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2000, 14(4), 379–382
q 2000 National Strength & Conditioning Association
A Comparison of Quadriceps Electromyographic
Activity With the Position of the Foot During the
Parallel Squat
GARETH BOYDEN, JOANNA KINGMAN,
Centre for Sports Sciences, University College Chichester, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom.
ABSTRACT
Six experienced lifters performed 3 squats in each of 4 foot
positions: 2108 inward, 08, 108 outward, and 208 outward.
These were performed at 2 weight conditions: 65 and 75%
of 1 repetition maximum. Surface electromyographic activity
of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris on
the right leg was analyzed in terms of the activity duration
and peak levels of activity. Results and analysis of variance
indicated that the foot rotation position did not influence the
mean peak activity or mean duration of activity of vastus
medialis, vastus lateralis, or rectus femoris. The practice of
adopting foot rotation to selectively strengthen individual
muscles of the quadriceps group was not supported by this
study, which involved smaller, more readily adopted, and
comfortable levels of foot rotation than did those previously
investigated.
Key Words: leg, muscle, rotation, strength, vastus me-
dialis
Reference Data: Boyden, G., J. Kingman, and R. Dyson.
A comparison of quadriceps electromyographic activ-
ity with the position of the foot during the parallel
squat. J. Strength Cond. Res. 14(4):379–382. 2000.
Introduction
T he role and benefits of closed-chain kinetic exercis-
es, such as the parallel squat, in aiding rehabilita-
tion of the knee was reviewed by Palmitier et al. (3).
Schaub and Worrell (4) reviewed the advantages of
closed kinetic chain exercises, which included reduced
anterior cruciate ligament strain and reduced tibial-
femoral shear. Graham et al. (1) supported the value
of such closed kinetic chain exercises for anterior cru-
ciate ligament rehabilitation. In cases of malalignment
of the patella, with accompanying pain or instability,
the selective strengthening of the vastus medialis or
vastus lateralis may be of value. Hanten and Schulthies
(2) provided evidence that maximal isometric hip ad-
duction increased vastus medialis activity more than
AND ROSEMARY DYSON
vastus lateralis activity did during open-chain leg ex-
tension exercises. They suggested that resistive hip ad-
duction exercises might be advisable in treatment of
patients with lateral malalignment of the patella. Con-
sidering the advantages of closed-chain kinetic exer-
cises, it is of interest whether selective strengthening
of the vastus medialis could occur, with reduced or
minimal vastus lateralis involvement, as part of a
closed-chain kinetic exercise routine.
Superficial electromyography (EMG) of the quad-
riceps muscles has been used to assess the benefits of
open- and closed-chain kinetic exercises on the vastus
medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris muscles.
Signorile et al. (5) reported a comparison of muscle
activity during open-chain knee extension and closed-
chain squat exercises. In the 2 exercises, no significant
differences occurred between the vastus medialis and
vastus lateralis root-mean-squared EMG activity. A
further study by Signorile et al. (6) investigated inter-
nal and external rotation of the foot during parallel
squatting. EMG studies of the vastus lateralis, vastus
medialis, and rectus femoris showed no significant ef-
fect of foot rotation on activation of specific quadriceps
muscles during the squat. A recommendation was that
in the parallel squat, weight trainers and therapists
should choose the foot position that provides the
greatest stability, safety, and comfort for the lift. How-
ever, in this study, the foot rotation procedures adopt-
ed involved comparing maximal internal rotation (ap-
proximately 308 inside parallel and involved medial
tibial or hip rotation), neutral (parallel with toes for-
ward and no hip or tibial rotation), and external ro-
tation (approximately 808 outside parallel and involved
lateral tibial or hip rotation). The adoption of these
maximal internal and external rotation positions
meant that subjects had to adapt their technique to
perform the squat. As Signorile et al. (6) stated, ‘‘Ex-
treme outward toe point greatly reduces stability, it
does not allow the proper drift of the hips as the lifter
descends. . . . Extreme inward toe points are equally
dangerous, coupling the same problems of stability,
379
380 Boyden, Kingman, and Dyson
base size and lower body drift with the added danger
of bringing the knees together. . . this movement
would place high stress on all connective tissue.’’
The purpose of the following research was to in-
vestigate the effect of smaller degrees of foot rotation,
which were likely to be more readily and comfortably
adopted by subjects, on the EMG activity of quadri-
ceps femoris muscles. During execution of the parallel
squat, the EMG activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus
medialis, and rectus femoris were recorded during 208
and 108 lateral rotation (toes outward), neutral (toes
forward), and 108 medial rotation (toes inward).
Methods
Six male college students volunteered for the study
(mean 6 SD; age, 23 6 4.1 years; height, 1.80 6 0.03
m; mass, 80.95 6 1.47 kg). All subjects were experi-
enced in the performance of the parallel squat tech-
nique and gave written consent to participation in the
study. The rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus
lateralis were located on the subject’s right leg by eye
and by use of palpation. The skin was shaven, cleaned
with an isopropyl alcohol medical swab, and gently
rasped (Medicotest, Cambridge, UK). A Dracard
(Maidstone, UK) electrode gel was left on the electrode
site for 2 minutes. The skin was then cleaned and
dried, and 2 Medicotest N-50-E disposable electrodes
were applied, with an electrode separation of 0.05 m,
to the skin over the belly of each muscle in line with
muscle fiber direction. A patella reference electrode
was used for all muscles. The EMG activity of the 3
muscles was recorded using a MTR8 radiotelemetry
system (MIE Medical Research Ltd., Leeds, UK) con-
nected to an Amplicon PC26AT analogue to digital
converter (Brighton, UK). Muscle signals were sam-
pled at 500 Hz and stored to disk using Orthodata
Myodat 3.0 software (Ludenscheid, Germany) running
on a Viglen Genie 4DX33 computer (Alperton, UK).
Following a warm-up, each subject’s 1 repetition
maximum (1RM) was established using an Olympic-
style barbell and weights in a squatting cage. The 1RM
was determined using each subject’s preferred foot po-
sition, by increasing the weight with each lift until the
subject could no longer perform the squat with good
technique. For both the left and the right foot, posi-
tions were marked on the floor of the squatting cage
at 108 medial rotation, neutral (08), 108 lateral rotation,
and 208 lateral rotation. EMG activity was recorded as
the subjects performed 3 squats sequentially, squatting
as low as they felt comfortable (approximately 808 to
908 of knee flexion). Each subject performed the squat
3 times in each of the 4 foot positions at the 65 and
75% 1RM. The order in which the 8 conditions were
performed was randomized, and a 3- to 4-minute rest
was allowed between these 8 sets of 3 squats.
Data Analysis
Muscular involvement was quantified by consideration
of the duration of EMG activity and the level of peak
EMG activity. For each muscle, the duration of muscle
activity was expressed as a percentage of the overall
duration of the squat. Peak activity levels were deter-
mined from the linear enveloped EMG. Within Myodat
3.0, the calculation of the linear enveloped EMG was
based on a 6-Hz first-order Butterworth high-pass fil-
ter. Data were processed with a 1% threshold level, the
minimal value. In order to assess the possibility of
training of individual quadriceps muscles by altering
foot positions, 2 forms of analysis were performed on
the 65 and 75% 1RM data based on 3 squats by each
subject. In the first case, within each foot position, a
comparison of the relative EMG activity in the 3 mus-
cles was undertaken and an overall mean for all 3 mus-
cles calculated. In the second case, each muscle’s activ-
ity was compared between alternative foot positions.
At 75 and 65% 1RM levels for each muscle, an analysis
of variance was performed with foot rotation as the
factor. Differences in levels of muscular activity were
assessed for statistical significance (p # 0.05) and then,
if appropriate, a Bonferroni multiple comparison pro-
cedure performed because of the relatively small sam-
ple size.
Results
For all 3 muscles in all foot positions, the overall mean
EMG peak activity was greater at 75% 1RM than it
was at the 65% 1RM level (Table 1). More consistent
muscle activity patterns were evident at the 75% 1RM
level than they were at the 65% 1RM level, as indicated
in Tables 1 and 2 by reduced variability (SE). At the
65% 1RM level in the 208 outward rotation position,
higher overall mean EMG activity level occurred, com-
pared with other foot positions, developing from small
increases in the activity recorded in all 3 muscles. At
75% 1RM 208 outward rotation position, increasing
vastus medialis activity was the primary source of the
raised overall mean compared with other foot posi-
tions. However, this result was not statistically signif-
icant.
For each muscle, no statistically significant differ-
ences existed (p . 0.05) in the level of peak activity
with foot rotation at either the 75 or 65% 1RM level.
It was notable that at the maximal 75% 1RM level, vas-
tus medialis showed the least activity (1,515 V) at 2108
inward rotation and the most activity (1,618 V) at 208
outward rotation. However, analysis of variance indi-
cated that the differences in levels of activity between
the 4-foot positions were not statistically significant (p
5 0.235). Even when considering the extreme (2108 to
1208) positions, the results were not significantly dif-
ferent when a Bonferroni multiple comparison adjust-
ment was applied (p 5 0.15).
 Foot Position Effect on Quadriceps Activity 381

When all 3 muscles were considered, the overall

38.76
39.48
36.80
22.10
mean duration of activity was similar for all foot po-
sitions and both repetition levels (Table 2). Generally,

6
6
6
6
208

1586.56
1612.17
1541.00
1579.91
the mean duration of activity of vastus medialis was
greater than it was for vastus lateralis, though the dif-
ference was small, that is, between 1 and 4% of the
duration of a squat. In all squats, rectus femoris was

45.44
52.09
42.76
26.55
65% 1 repetition maximum active for less time during each squat cycle than were
vastus medialis or vastus lateralis. Further analysis on

6
6
6
6
108
the onset and offset of electrical activity revealed that
1518.83
1528.56
1509.89
1519.09
the rectus femoris was activated later than were the
vastus medialis and lateralis muscles and ceased activ-
ity earlier, suggesting that the rectus femoris was not
41.59
58.43
50.79
28.86 used through the full range of motion.
The issue of selectively strengthening the individ-
6
6
6
6
08

ual quadriceps muscles has been supported by Hanten

1534.33
1491.17
1530.56
1518.69

and Schulthies (2) ‘‘to reduce pull on the patella the

medial components of the quadriceps (specifically the
vastus medialis) must be strengthened selectively.
48.14
60.23
42.84
29.16

Whereas the lateral component (specifically the vastus

lateralis) must be significantly less active.’’ Signorile et
2108

6
6
6
6

al. (6) reported that no evidence of selective activity

1536.72
1548.06
1476.50
1520.43

existed in vastus medialis or vastus lateralis with foot

positions of 308 medial rotation, neutral, and 808 lateral
rotation during the parallel squat, though they did re-
port that the high levels of lateral and medial rotation
38.76
45.62
34.21
23.15
Table 1. Peak electromyographic activity for different foot positions (mean 6 SE; mV).

caused the lifters to modify their technique consider-

ably.
6
6
6
6
208

During the selective strengthening exercise, wheth-

1630.94
1617.67
1544.00
1597.54

er for training or rehabilitation purposes, emphasis is

placed on the level and duration of muscle activity.
The selected indicators of these measures in this study
38.90
52.83
40.05
25.56

were the peak level of each muscle’s EMG activity and

75% 1 repetition maximum

the duration of each muscle’s EMG activity as a per-

6
6
6
6
108

centage of overall squat duration.

1617.44
1543.56
1547.83
1569.61

In this parallel squat study, results and analysis of

variance indicated that rotation of foot position did not
influence the mean peak activity or mean duration of
36.55
49.99
44.36
25.45

activity of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, or rectus

femoris. The practice of adopting specific foot rotation
6
6
6
6
08

to selectively strengthen individual muscles of the

1640.94
1572.33
1551.83
1588.37

quadriceps group was not supported by this study,

which involved smaller, more readily adopted, and
comfortable levels of foot rotation than did those pre-
39.25
52.90
44.87
26.82

viously investigated.
The lifters in this study were all experienced at
2108

6
6
6
6

both the 65 and 75% 1RM levels, but were not accus-
1623.28
1515.00
1540.72
1559.67

tomed to lifting with their feet in the 2108 inward

rotation position. It is possible that training status may
influence muscle recruitment patterns. Further work
Vastus medialis
Vastus lateralis

Rectus femoris

could investigate the reproducibility of this small-scale

Overall mean
Position

study within a larger group as subjects train to lift in

a number of alternative foot positions. This research
would help clarify the importance of the training fac-
tor to the generation of increased muscular strength.
382 Boyden, Kingman, and Dyson

Table 2. Durations of electromyographic activity for different foot positions expressed as a percentage of the overall duration
of the squat (mean 6 SE).

75% 1 repetition maximum 65% 1 repetition maximum

Position 2108 08 108 208 2108 08 108 208

Vastus lateralis 95.84 6 1.16 95.24 6 1.04 96.24 6 1.03 97.13 6 0.75 95.26 6 1.23 94.19 6 1.23 93.80 6 0.98 94.64 6 2.00
Vastus medialis 96.92 6 1.15 97.67 6 0.66 97.85 6 0.77 96.88 6 1.22 98.12 6 0.66 98.61 6 0.53 97.63 6 0.72 96.48 6 1.11
Rectus femoris 92.22 6 1.47 89.46 6 2.18 93.16 6 1.20 92.13 6 1.68 88.83 6 2.40 83.83 6 2.38 89.04 6 2.26 86.93 6 3.84
Overall mean 93.27 6 0.77 94.12 6 0.95 95.75 6 0.63 95.38 6 0.79 94.07 6 1.05 92.21 6 1.23 93.50 6 0.97 92.68 6 1.57

Practical Applications References

In this parallel squat study, more consistent muscle ac-
tivity patterns were evident at the 75% 1RM level than
they were at the 65% 1RM level. At the more ergonom-
ic smaller angles of inward and outward foot rotation
(2108 to 1208) from the 08 (neutral) position used in
this study, compared with other research Signorile (6),
there was no statistically significant selective involve-
ment of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, or rectus
femoris muscle related to foot position (assessed by
level of superficial EMG activity, duration of activity,
or both). The rectus femoris muscle was active for less
time during each squat cycle than were vastus medi-
alis or vastus lateralis, probably because of its anatom-
ical position and function in both hip flexion and knee
extension. Knowledge of these results indicates that
selective strengthening of individual muscles within
the quadriceps group does not occur when squatting
with the tested foot positions and loads.
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rehabilitation exercises. J. Athletic Training 28:23–30. 1993.
2. HANTEN, W.P., AND S.S. SCHULTHIES. Exercise effect on electro-
myographical activity of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus
lateralis muscles. Phys. Therapy. 70:561–565. 1990.
3. PALMITIER, R.A., A. KAI-NANN, S.G. SCOTT, AND E.Y.S. CHOA.
Kinetic chain exercise in knee rehabilitation. Sports Med. 11:402–
413. 1991.
4. SCHAUB, T.A., AND T.W. WORRELL. EMG activity of six muscles
and VMO:VLL ratio determination during a maximal squat ex-
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6. SIGNORILE, J.F., K. KWIATKOWSKI, J.F. CARUSO, AND B. ROBERT-
SON. Effect of foot position on the electromyographical activity
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and knee extension. J. Strength Cond. Res. 9:182–187. 1995.