A comparison of squat and leg press training protocols on center of pressure alterations and ground reaction force during step descent

Background & The location of center pressure and the amplitude of vertical ground reaction force (GRFz) during daily activities such as walking and step descent and ascent is associated with lower limb and lumbar injuries. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two different resistance training programs on the biomechanical variables such as vertical ground reaction forces and center of pressure (COPx) during stair descent.
Twenty healthy male students of Bu Ali Sina University were randomly divided into squat (average age: 25.1±2.7 year) and leg press (average age: 23.8±3.2 year) groups. GRFz and COPx values before and after 12 sessions of exercise recorded by force plate at sampling rate of 1000 Hz. The squat group performed squat movement with maximum hip adduction, while the leg press group performed leg press movement with maximum hip adduction during 12 sessions. Paired and independent sample t tests were used for within and between groups comparisons, respectively. The significant level was set at p
In leg press group, mediolateral displacements of COP after training program was decreased (P=0.027). However, GRF and COP values were not statistically different between both groups.
Leg press training could improve center of pressure (COP) displacement, and the second peak of GRFz, and consequently lead to improvement in postural control during step descent.