parellel vs full squats rant

[elitft_bouncer]

Hey, anyone got any information regarding knee safety with full vs parallel squats. I was doing full squats today and my friend dragged this little shit along with us to the gym. He (the little shit) complained and whined about how I shouldn't go past parallel and how it would fuck up my knee and how my back was going to be screwed. He complained ON EVERY SET of my squat. I then did some explosive box squats, and there he was again... "Oh, you should'nt do that, it puts too much pressure on your spine going that fast, blah blah blah"
Serious, I just wanted to punch him in the face. I asked how much he squats and you know what he says? "I don't squat, it puts too much pressure on my back". So I asked him where he gets the idea that squatting below parallel will be bad for your knee. He says its common sense to know that, everyone knows that, even physios, trainers etc....

I just told my friend to never bring him along again next time. I asked my friend if that little shit has EVER squatted before, he said he saw him squat once, with just the BAR, gave up because it was hurting his traps!!WTF!?!?!


ps Would like 2 say that I dont really care which one is better. I do both so it doesnt matter much to me. Just want some articles so show my friend before he gets brainfucked by that little shit friend of his.

 

[DiamondCutCows]

please note sig

 

[myfault]

read

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332299

 

[Madcow2]

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5124176&postcount=825

There are several schools of thought on squat depth. Many misinformed individuals caution against squatting below parallel, stating that this is hazardous to the knees. Nothing could be further from the truth. (2) Stopping at or above parallel places direct stress on the knees, whereas a deep squat will transfer the load to the hips,(3) which are capable of handling a greater amount of force than the knees should ever be exposed to. Studies have shown that the squat produces lower peak tibeo-femoral(stress at the knee joint) compressive force than both the leg press and the leg extension.(4) For functional strength, one should descend as deeply as possible, and under control. (yes, certain individuals can squat in a ballistic manner, but they are the exception rather than the rule). The further a lifter descends, the more the hamstrings are recruited, and proper squatting displays nearly twice the hamstring involvement of the leg press or leg extension. (5,6) and as one of the functions of the hamstring is to protect the patella tendon (the primary tendon involved in knee extension) during knee extension through a concurrent firing process, the greatest degree of hamstring recruitment should provide the greatest degree of protection to the knee joint. (7) When one is a powerlifter, the top surface of the legs at the hip joint must descend to a point below the top surface of the legs at the knee joint.

Knee injuries are one of the most commonly stated problems that come from squatting, however, this is usually stated by those who do not know how to squat. A properly performed squat will appropriately load the knee joint, which improves congruity by increasing the compressive forces at the knee joint. (8,(9) which improves stability, protecting the knee against shear forces. As part of a long-term exercise program, the squat, like other exercises, will lead to increased collagen turnover and hypertrophy of ligaments. (10,11) At least one study has shown that international caliber weightlifters and powerlifters experience less clinical or symptomatic arthritis. (12) Other critics of the squat have stated that it decreases the stability of the knees, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Studies have shown that the squat will increase knee stability by reducing joint laxity, as well as decrease anterior-posterior laxity and translation. (13,14) The squat is, in fact, being used as a rehabilitation exercise for many types of knee injuries, including ACL repair. (15)

 

[elitft_bouncer]

Yo, thanks for that guys. LOL, I told my friend to forward this to that little buddy of his. I doubt that little shit would even read it. Oh wells, some people just like to stay in their own little world. Thanks again for that.

 

[nelmsjer]

Here's an interesting one. I worked in college as an athletic trainer. The drawer test for an ACL and/or PCL is done at the knees weakest angle, so that you can get the best results from the test. Well....guess what the weakest angle is: 90 degrees. So, knowing that, tell me why in the HECK you would want to load up 405 on your back, squat down, and then reverse directions at your knees' weakest angle???

Doesn't make much sense to me! Squat DEEP.

 

[blut wump]

Of course, things are slightly different in a Powerlifter-style squat but not for the sake of the knees. In an ATF squat one goes fully deep to transfer the load to the hips and hamstrings and away from the knees. In a wide PL-style squat this happens much sooner.

 

[nelmsjer]

Very good point, blut_wump.

Eating much chicken, lately?

 

[H_T_]

i always do atf. hams tight to calves. with a pause at the bottom. no knee problems @ 34 years old. and regularly squat with between 300-400lbs. no wraps either.

 

[blut wump]

Very good point, blut_wump.

Eating much chicken, lately?

Touchy point at the moment after we lost four of them to a fox and a fifth may yet die. We'd had them over a year and they were like pets. I'll change my avatar and location since they are confusing.

 

[nelmsjer]

OH MY GOSH...wow. I'm sorry and feel like an idiot. My very sincere apologies, man.

 

[blut wump]

It's clearly my error, not yours. Thanks.