Research

Mixed

Fatigue manifests earlier in high-bar squats during 6-RM sets, causing kinematic breakdown (slower velocity, altered joint angles) in the final repetitions, whereas low-bar squats maintain kinematics better under fatigue.

If you are doing high-rep sets (like 6 reps) and notice your form breaking down or speed dropping significantly on high-bar squats, consider switching to low-bar. Low-bar squats tend to maintain better mechanical stability as you get tired.

GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Fatigue may manifest earlier itself in the high barbell squats during 6-RMs as sets progress toward a lifter’s maximal capacity, altering kinematics, especially in the last repetition.
Roland van den Tillaar et al. · Journal of Human Kinetics · 2020

Why this rating

Clear kinematic data showing interaction effects.

Source

Comparison of Muscle Activation and Kinematics in 6-RM Squatting With Low and High Barbell Placement

Roland van den Tillaar et al. · Journal of Human Kinetics · 2020

DOI 10.2478/hukin-2020-0021

crossover · n=12Cited 2×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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