TY - JOUR

T1 - Reliability Challenges in 1RM Parallel Back Squat Testing

T2 - The Critical Role of Squat Depth

AU - Keiner, M.

AU - Warneke, K.

AU - Wagner, C. M.

AU - Lohmann, L. H.

AU - Siegel, S. D.

AU - Brauner, T.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Purpose: This study analyzed the inter-session reliability of the parallel back squat during one-repetition-maximum (1RM) testing in elite youth soccer players and to exploratorily evaluate the consistency with which the prescribed squat depth is achieved. Methods: The sample comprised 47 male soccer players (age: 18.1 ± 2.3 years, body mass: 72.4 ± 7.7 kg, height: 1.83 ± 0.06 m) from German youth soccer academy teams competing in top junior leagues (U16-U19). The 1RM was assessed under standardized conditions, with squat depth monitored using a hybrid marker- and silhouette-based motion capture system. The inter-session reliability of 1RM load was quantified using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Systematic bias between sessions was evaluated using a paired-samples t-test (with Cohen’s d for effect size). Within-session deviations from the 90° squat-depth target were assessed using a one-sample t-test (with Cohen’s d for effect size). Results: The participants achieved an absolute 1RM of 94.9 ± 13.7 kg (relative: 1.32 ± 0.19). The 1RM test–retest (inter-session) reliability regarding load lifted yielded an ICC of 0.970 (95% CI: 0.948–0.982), with a mean bias of 1.71 kg (P = 0.018, d = 0.39). An explanatory analysis of the kinetic data from each participant’s best trial (within-session) showed that squat depth deviations (thigh angle 89.7° ± 4.1°) did not differ significantly from the target depth of 90° (P = 0.630, d = 0.15), where 0° corresponds to full knee extension. Conclusions: This study’s parallel back-squat 1RM testing protocol in national-level male youth soccer players demonstrated excellent load reliability. Squat depth may confound reliability, and its full impact on inter-session error warrants further study; nonetheless, familiarization, skilled spotters, and practiced participants can help limit its effect.

AB - Purpose: This study analyzed the inter-session reliability of the parallel back squat during one-repetition-maximum (1RM) testing in elite youth soccer players and to exploratorily evaluate the consistency with which the prescribed squat depth is achieved. Methods: The sample comprised 47 male soccer players (age: 18.1 ± 2.3 years, body mass: 72.4 ± 7.7 kg, height: 1.83 ± 0.06 m) from German youth soccer academy teams competing in top junior leagues (U16-U19). The 1RM was assessed under standardized conditions, with squat depth monitored using a hybrid marker- and silhouette-based motion capture system. The inter-session reliability of 1RM load was quantified using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Systematic bias between sessions was evaluated using a paired-samples t-test (with Cohen’s d for effect size). Within-session deviations from the 90° squat-depth target were assessed using a one-sample t-test (with Cohen’s d for effect size). Results: The participants achieved an absolute 1RM of 94.9 ± 13.7 kg (relative: 1.32 ± 0.19). The 1RM test–retest (inter-session) reliability regarding load lifted yielded an ICC of 0.970 (95% CI: 0.948–0.982), with a mean bias of 1.71 kg (P = 0.018, d = 0.39). An explanatory analysis of the kinetic data from each participant’s best trial (within-session) showed that squat depth deviations (thigh angle 89.7° ± 4.1°) did not differ significantly from the target depth of 90° (P = 0.630, d = 0.15), where 0° corresponds to full knee extension. Conclusions: This study’s parallel back-squat 1RM testing protocol in national-level male youth soccer players demonstrated excellent load reliability. Squat depth may confound reliability, and its full impact on inter-session error warrants further study; nonetheless, familiarization, skilled spotters, and practiced participants can help limit its effect.

KW - Motion capture

KW - Performance testing

KW - Performance variability

KW - Soccer

KW - Strength training

KW - Technique

KW - Test–retest

KW - Thigh angle

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105021407092&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s42978-025-00346-8

DO - 10.1007/s42978-025-00346-8

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:105021407092

JO - Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

JF - Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

SN - 2096-6709

ER -