The torso’s angle of inclination above
horizontal. As a squat matures this angle
increases. The squat becomes more upright as
the athlete’s strength and neural “connectedness”
to the posterior chain increase. Lower angles of
inclination are created in an attempt to cantilever
away from a weak posterior chain and onto the
quadriceps. While technically correct, the lower
angle is mechanically disadvantaged.
90-A: This is the angle of rotation of the arms,
at the shoulders, past overhead. The lower A is,
the greater the rotation, 90-A, required of the
shoulders to keep the bar in the frontal plane.
The larger 90-A is, the wider the grip required to
allow the shoulders to rotate to keep the bar in
the frontal plane. Ultimately the connectedness/
strength of the posterior chain will determine
the width of the grip, elevation of the squat, and
degree of rotation of the shoulders. Maturity and
quality of the squat is a determinant of all of the
mechanics of the overhead squat.
g: These lines mark horizontal
f: This line defines the frontal plane. It divides the
athlete front half from back half. In the squat (as
with most weightlifting movements) the athlete
endeavors to keep the load in this plane. If a load
deviates substantially from this plane the athlete
has to bring the load back, which in turn pulls the
athlete off balance.
b: This is roughly the position for a back or front
squat.
a: This is the position for the overhead squat.
With perfect stability, movement, and alignment
this position does not increase the moment
about the hip or back. The difference in an
athlete’s strength when squatting here, overhead,
as opposed to position b, the back or front squat,
is a perfect measure of instability in the torso,
legs, or shoulders, and improper line of action in
the shoulders, hips, or legs, and weak or flawed
posture in the squat.
c: This position has the load behind the frontal
plane. It can actually decrease the moment on the
hip and back. As long as balance is maintained the
position is strong.
d: This is a fatal flaw in the overhead squat. Even
slight movement in this direction greatly increases
the moment in the hip and back. Moving in this
direction with even a small load can collapse the
squat like a house of cards.
No comments:
Post a Comment