HealthyNCT07543237
The Acute Effect of Squat Exercises Performed at Different Depths on Muscle Activation and Jump Performance
A study testing Partial Squat Exercise, Parallel Squat Exercise and Full Squat Exercise in people with Healthy and Physical Performance, run by Pamukkale University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy, Physical Performance
- What is being tested?
- Partial Squat Exercise, Parallel Squat Exercise and Full Squat Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 14 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 7 Apr 2025to 16 May 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Inclusion criteria were: being 18-35 years of age, having at least one year of resistance training experience, and being familiar with partial, half, and full squat techniques.
Who cannot join
- Exclusion criteria included having a chronic illness, a current or recent musculoskeletal injury, or experiencing pain during any of the three squat variations.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Pamukkale University, Faculty of Sport Sciences
Denizli, Denizli, 20160
About this study
Official title: The Acute Effect of Squat Exercises Performed at Different Depths on Muscle Activation and Jump Performance: A Randomized Crossover Trial
This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed three sets of squats at their 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load across three different depths. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during each set, while CMJ performance was assessed before and after the squat protocols.
Read the detailed description
This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed three sets of squats at their 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load across three different depths. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during each set, while CMJ performance was assessed before and after the squat protocols. Results indicated that both mean and peak activation values of all muscles increased significantly with greater squat depth. The highest activation levels in the RF and BF muscles occurred during the full squat, whereas VL activation peaked during both the full and parallel squat conditions. Regarding CMJ performance, no decline was observed after any condition; however, a significant improvement between pre- and post-test values was found only after the full-squat condition. Increasing squat depth positively influences muscle activation and jump performance, and performing full squats in training may enhance neuromuscular stimulation and promote post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE).
- Conditions
- Healthy, Physical Performance
- Being tested
- Partial Squat Exercise, Parallel Squat Exercise, Full Squat Exercise
- Keywords
- Partial squat, Parallel squat, Full squat, Surface electromyography, Counter movement jump
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Partial Squat ExerciseOther
3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets.
Parallel Squat ExerciseOther
3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets.
Full Squat ExerciseOther
3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Squat | Experimental | Participants perform 3 sets of partial back squats at 5RM load (approximately 45° knee flexion). Receives: Other: Partial Squat Exercise |
| Parallel Squat | Experimental | Participants perform 3 sets of parallel back squats at 5RM load (approximately 90° knee flexion). Receives: Other: Parallel Squat Exercise |
| Full Squat | Experimental | Participants perform 3 sets of full back squats at 5RM load (approximately 140° knee flexion). Receives: Other: Full Squat Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Muscle Activation (Surface Electromyography - sEMG)
Mean and peak electrical activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles during the squat exercise.
Measured: During the squat protocol (at the time of the intervention).
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Performance
Jump height measured in centimeters to assess acute changes in explosive power.
Measured: Baseline (pre-test) and 5 minutes after the completion of the squat protocol (post-test).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Apr 2026
- Study start7 Apr 2025
- Primary completion16 May 2025
- Study completion16 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Pamukkale UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Pamukkale University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Fatih GUR, Pamukkale University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07543237
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-671169
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect participant privacy and confidentiality, as the informed consent form did not include a provision for public data sharing.
Publications
Serter B, Cosar Y, Akkoyun A, Gur F. The acute effect of squat exercises performed at different depths on muscle activation and jump performance: a randomized crossover trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 16. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01883-7. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42464374
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Acute Effect of Squat Exercises Performed at Different Depths on Muscle Activation and Jump Performance: A Randomized Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07543237
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-671169
- Conditions
- Healthy, Physical Performance
- Keywords
- Partial squat, Parallel squat, Full squat, Surface electromyography, Counter movement jump
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Pamukkale UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed three sets of squats at their 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load across three different depths. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during each set, while CMJ performance was assessed before and after the squat protocols.
Detailed description
This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed three sets of squats at their 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load across three different depths. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during each set, while CMJ performance was assessed before and after the squat protocols. Results indicated that both mean and peak activation values of all muscles increased significantly with greater squat depth. The highest activation levels in the RF and BF muscles occurred during the full squat, whereas VL activation peaked during both the full and parallel squat conditions. Regarding CMJ performance, no decline was observed after any condition; however, a significant improvement between pre- and post-test values was found only after the full-squat condition. Increasing squat depth positively influences muscle activation and jump performance, and performing full squats in training may enhance neuromuscular stimulation and promote post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Squat | Experimental | Other: Partial Squat ExerciseParticipants perform 3 sets of partial back squats at 5RM load (approximately 45° knee flexion). |
| Parallel Squat | Experimental | Other: Parallel Squat ExerciseParticipants perform 3 sets of parallel back squats at 5RM load (approximately 90° knee flexion). |
| Full Squat | Experimental | Other: Full Squat ExerciseParticipants perform 3 sets of full back squats at 5RM load (approximately 140° knee flexion). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Inclusion criteria were: being 18-35 years of age, having at least one year of resistance training experience, and being familiar with partial, half, and full squat techniques.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Exclusion criteria included having a chronic illness, a current or recent musculoskeletal injury, or experiencing pain during any of the three squat variations.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Squat Exercise3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets. | Other | Partial Squat |
| Parallel Squat Exercise3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets. | Other | Parallel Squat |
| Full Squat Exercise3 sets of 5-repetition maximum (5RM) squats with a 3-minute rest interval between sets. | Other | Full Squat |
Primary outcome
Muscle Activation (Surface Electromyography - sEMG)
Time frame: During the squat protocol (at the time of the intervention).
Mean and peak electrical activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles during the squat exercise.
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Performance
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and 5 minutes after the completion of the squat protocol (post-test).
Jump height measured in centimeters to assess acute changes in explosive power.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Apr 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42464374Serter B, Cosar Y, Akkoyun A, Gur F. The acute effect of squat exercises performed at different depths on muscle activation and jump performance: a randomized crossover trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 16. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01883-7. Online ahead of print.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared to protect participant privacy and confidentiality, as the informed consent form did not include a provision for public data sharing.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Partial Squat Exercise, Parallel Squat Exercise and Full Squat Exercise in people with Healthy and Physical Performance, run by Pamukkale University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Muscle Activation (Surface Electromyography - sEMG) (time frame: During the squat protocol (at the time of the intervention).). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07543237, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Apr 2026.