The Back Squat Part 2: Targeted Training Techniques to Correct Functional Deficits and Technical Factors that Limit Performance.

The back squat is a well-researched and widely used exercise to enhance fundamental movement competency that creates a foundation for optimal mechanical strategies during a broad range of activities. The primary commentary introduced the Back Squat Assessment (BSA): a criterion based assessment of the back squat that delineates 30 potentially observable functional deficits. This follow-up commentary provides a targeted system of training cues and exercises to supplement the BSA to guide corrective intervention. We propose a criterion driven approach to corrective exercise that can support practitioners in their goal to help individuals achieve movement competency in the back squat.

The back squat: A proposed assessment of functional deficits and technical factors that limit performance.

Fundamental movement competency is essential for participation in physical activity and for mitigating the risk of injury, which are both key elements of health throughout life. The squat movement pattern is arguably one of the most primal and critical fundamental movements necessary to improve sport performance, to reduce injury risk and to support lifelong physical activity. Based on current evidence, this first (1 of 2) report deconstructs the technical performance of the back squat as a foundation training exercise and presents a novel dynamic screening tool that incorporates identification techniques for functional deficits that limit squat performance and injury resilience. The follow-up report will outline targeted corrective methodology for each of the functional deficits presented in the assessment tool.