Poor Squat Form

[Curious George]

It sounds to me like you need to work on the adductors. Usually when the knee goes in it's a pretty good sign of that. When the knees go out, it usually means week abductors.

In powerlifting and especially WSB the knees should some out because of trying to squat wide with the hams, glutes and lower back. The quads are not that big of a deal in the squat . By pushing the knees out you help your leverage. But I think that is different than what you are talking about.

 

[spatts]

knees cave + weak hips

Cure:

Dimel Deads
Kneeling Squats
Belt Squats
Sumo Deads

 

[British Bulldog]

So many opinions. Im gonna point my toes outwards and a use a slightly wider stance. Im also gonna focus more on trying to keep my knees out when ascending.

Prior to starting squats I had been leg pressing for several years. Could this have been the culprint?

 

[pwr_machine]

It sounds to me like you need to work on the adductors. Usually when the knee goes in it's a pretty good sign of that. When the knees go out, it usually means week abductors.

In powerlifting and especially WSB the knees should some out because of trying to squat wide with the hams, glutes and lower back. The quads are not that big of a deal in the squat . By pushing the knees out you help your leverage. But I think that is different than what you are talking about.

Adduction = ADD! = moves the legs together

Abduction = the opposite = moves the legs apart

Your explanation has been stated at least once before on this thread! Need to work on adductors? That's what's possibly pulling the knees together. Bigguns15 gave a prime example of why adductors could be stronger, not weaker! Let's get the info correct before we confuse the hell out of British Bulldog.

 

[edgecrusher]

I have to disagree. The vastus medialis oblique:

Origin = linea aspera and supracondylar line of the femur, and the tendon of adductor magnus

Action = extension of the knee

If anything, this muscle could be overcompensating due to weak abductor muscles as stated earlier. Please make yourself more clear on such a statement.

The function of the VMO is also stability and positioning of the knee. A strong VMO is crucial for joint stability and balance.

 

[pwr_machine]

The function of the VMO is also stability and positioning of the knee. A strong VMO is crucial for joint stability and balance.

Medialalis = middle, right?

Muscles shorten, right?

Here's an example, a muscle on the medial side of your leg contracts. Hmm...leg is pulled in/adduction. Therefore, I see a weakness on the outside/abduction.

And I agree with joint stability and balance. However, I don't think it's the culprit of his problem.

 

[pwr_machine]

So many opinions. Im gonna point my toes outwards and a use a slightly wider stance. Im also gonna focus more on trying to keep my knees out when ascending.

You're on the right track. It takes practice.

 

[edgecrusher]

Medialalis = middle, right?

Muscles shorten, right?

Here's an example, a muscle on the medial side of your leg contracts. Hmm...leg is pulled in/adduction. Therefore, I see a weakness on the outside/abduction.

And I agree with joint stability and balance. However, I don't think it's the culprit of his problem.

You just said, that when the VMO contracts it flexes the knee. THe same muscle can not perform 2 functions at the same time. As the individual descends, the VMO exerts an isometric contraction to hold the knee in place. When it is not strong enough to support said load, the knee caves in.

 

[pwr_machine]

You just said, that when the VMO contracts it flexes the knee. THe same muscle can not perform 2 functions at the same time. As the individual descends, the VMO exerts an isometric contraction to hold the knee in place. When it is not strong enough to support said load, the knee caves in.

I said the VMO and EXTENSION of the knee in an earlier post. Don't put words in my mouth. And, my reference most recent said "a muscle", not the VMO. I was making a general reference that a medial muscle would act by pulling inward. That's not to say the VMO causes adduction! By insertion, it can't! Here's a quiz. Sit there in your chair and pull your legs out. Which muscles are contracting? Could it be your abductors? And if they were stronger, do you think your knees would move medially.

 

[edgecrusher]

I understand what you are saying pwr_machine. But part of the vmo's function is stability of the knee joint, and it is activated when the indivdual is in a low squatting position. When the vmo is weak the knee caves. This is common in most trainees I work with. But without seeing the indivdual perform his movement, I can not say for sure.