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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07351097

Adding Mini-squat Exercises to Leg Press Exercise on Quadriceps and Hamstring Strength and H:Q Ratio in Athletes

This study will try to answer the following question:

Will adding mini-squat exercises at different angles (30°,45°, and 60°) to leg press exercise influence quadriceps and hamstring strength and H:Q angle in football players?

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Key information

Conditions

Exercise Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Jazan University Hospital

Jizan, Saudi Arabia

About this study

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of exercise selection and angle specificity in resistance training, showing that different knee angles result in varied activation patterns in the quadriceps and hamstrings. However, current literature offers limited insight into the effects of integrating mini squat exercises with leg press training on injury prevention and functional outcomes in athletic populations. In particular, there is a lack of literature on how such a combined leg press and mini squat exercise at different angles influences the H:Q ratio, lower limb neuromuscular control, and performance in young male football players. Therefore, the present study aims to examine whether incorporating mini squats performed at varying knee flexion angles into a leg press training program can improve muscle balance and lower limb strength in football players. The findings may provide valuable guidance for physiotherapists, coaches, and sports scientists in developing evidence-based, angle-specific exercise protocols tailored to the functional demands of athletes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male football players aged between 18-30 years (Scoz et al., 2021).
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² (Walsh et al., 2018 & Sattar& Lean, 2009).
  • Currently training or playing with a registered football club/team.
  • Hamstring-to-Quadriceps (HQ) strength ratio of ≥ 0.6 (Çelebi et al., 2018).
  • Having no oral or injectable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), 2weeks before starting study.
  • Having no oral injectable corticosteroids 3 months before starting the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of acute or chronic injury to the knee, hip, or ankle joint
  • Undergoing any other rehabilitation or physical therapy programs during the six weeks before starting the study
  • Diagnosed with neurological or systemic disorders affecting muscle function or balance
  • Participation in competitive sports or high-intensity training outside the study protocol during the study period
  • Presence of any contraindication to exercise, such as uncontrolled hypertension or heart conditions.
  • Clinically free from lower limb injuries.
  • Having no history of neurological, cardiovascular, or musculoskeletal disorders.

Treatment and study plan

mini-squat exercises at 30°

Procedure

mini-squat exercises at 30° knee flexion and leg press exercises

mini-squat exercises at 45°

Procedure

mini-squat exercises at 45° knee flexion and leg press exercises

mini-squat exercises at 60°

Procedure

mini-squat exercises at 60°and leg press exercises

leg press exercise

Procedure

leg press exercise program only

Primary outcomes

  1. Measurement of quadriceps strength

    Time frame: 1.5 months

    • The participant will be seated on the isokinetic dynamometer chair, with proper posture and alignment ensured.
    • The lateral femoral epicondyle (the anatomical axis of the knee joint) will be aligned with the mechanical axis of the dynamometer arm.
    • The lever arm of the dynamometer will be securely attached to the participant's lower leg, just above the ankle, using a padded cuff.
    • The participant will be instructed to perform maximal knee extension against the resistance of the device, moving from a flexed to an extended position.
    • The test will be conducted unilaterally, assessing one leg at a time.
    • The participant will be encouraged to exert maximal effort during each repetition.
    • The isokinetic device will record key outcome measures including peak torque (Nm), average power, and total work for each repetition. These values will be used to quantify quadriceps strength.

  2. Measurement of hamstrings muscle strength

    Time frame: 1.5 months

    All previously described quadriceps muscle evaluation procedures will be applied for the hamstrings muscle strength test; however, the range of motion will be set from full knee extension, and the participant will be instructed to actively bend the knee against the resistance of the device to 90°

  3. Hamstring to quadriceps H:Q ratio calculation

    Time frame: 1.5 months

    The H-Q ratio refers to the relative strength of the hamstring muscles compared to the quadriceps, typically measured under isokinetic conditions (at the same angular velocity). It is calculated as the maximal concentric knee flexion strength divided by maximal concentric knee extension strength.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Adding Mini-squat Exercises at Different Angles to Leg Press Exercise on Quadriceps and Hamstring Strength and H:Q Ratio in Athletes

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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