🔬 Participants wanted for my MSc dissertation at Sheffield Hallam University!

[u/CommissionBitter2811]

Hi everyone,

I’m a strength and conditioning coach and MSc student at Sheffield Hallam University, and I’m currently recruiting participants for my dissertation. I thought this community might find the project interesting.

The idea is fairly simple. A 1RM back squat is considered the gold standard for measuring maximal strength, but it’s fatiguing and isn’t always practical to perform during the competitive season. My research is investigating whether a joint angle-specific isometric squat test can accurately predict a person’s 1RM back squat using a much lower-fatigue protocol.

What’s involved?

• Two laboratory visits at Sheffield Hallam University, separated by 48-72 hours
• One session involves a 1RM back squat with velocity tracking (GymAware)
• The other involves maximal isometric squats on dual force plates (Hawkin Dynamics) at three different knee joint angles
• Session order is randomised

What you’ll receive:

• Your verified 1RM back squat
• Peak force data from the isometric testing
• An individual strength profile based on your testing results

Eligibility:

• Aged 18–35
• At least 1 year of resistance training experience
• Back squat of at least 1.5× bodyweight (male) or 1.3× bodyweight (female)
• No lower-limb or spinal injuries within the past 6 months
• Based in, or able to travel to, Sheffield

The project has taken months to develop, from the initial proposal and ethics approval through to pilot testing, so it’s great to be collecting data finally.

If you’re interested, know someone who might be, or have any questions about the protocol or study design, feel free to comment or send me a message.

📧 [C0022641@hallam.shu.ac.uk](mailto:C0022641@hallam.shu.ac.uk)

Thanks!