ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT POWER PARAMETERS ON SQUAT AND LEG PRESS: CONSIDERATIONS FOR POWER DEVELOPMENT

The purpose of this study was to investigate different power parameters in Squat and Leg press exercises, considering joint angle. Trained male subjects (n=8) were submitted to a load progression. The force, knee amplitude, and velocities were collected using a force plate, an electrogoniometer and a linear velocity transducer. The results pointed out that: i) the optimum angle for peak power depends on exercise intensity (%RM), and that relationship is more evident in the Squat exercise; ii) mean propulsive power was the best power parameter predictor for both exercises concerning the relative load that maximized mechanical power output; iii) light loads are ideal to produce high peak power values at knee angles near 90o for Squat and Leg Press; iv) heavy loads are ideal to produce high PP values at knee angles near 170o for Squat and Leg Press.