Adherence
Performing full-range barbell back squats improves joint health, muscle flexibility, and motor learning compared to partial-range or non-squatting movements.
To improve your joint health and movement quality, prioritize full-range barbell back squats. Start with bodyweight or light loads to master the technique, ensuring your knees track over your toes and your back stays neutral. This builds strength and flexibility at the end ranges of motion, which static stretching alone may not achieve. Focus on learning the movement pattern before adding heavy weight.
The squat is a movement first and foremost... it conditions multiple muscle groups and body systems simultaneously... Full Movement has the added benefit of creating a muscular stretch at the end range... active movement allows us to organize neural pathways.
Why this rating
The text is a coaching manual/book excerpt relying on anecdotal evidence, general physiological principles, and author experience rather than controlled clinical trials.
Source
The Back Squat
Gregory D. Myer et al. · Strength and conditioning journal · 2014
DOI 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000103
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