Introduction

More than just an exercise: squats (deep squats) as the key to health

Regular squats are much more than just leg training. They promote an upright posture, prevent injuries and have a positive effect on central functions of the musculoskeletal system. Targeted training not only strengthens the muscles, but also improves the mobility and alignment of the entire body.

Deep squats and their effect on the entire body

Good mobility in the hips, knees and ankles is crucial for healthy alignment. According to physiotherapist Roop Sihota (Bay Area, USA), the inability to perform a deep squat correctly can lead to pain or injury in almost any joint in the body.

Observations from rural regions in developing countries confirm this: In cultures where the deep squat is widely used as a resting position, posture-related complaints such as back pain occur much less frequently.

Knee health: use it or lose it

The health of our joints follows the principle of „use it or lose it“. If you never bend your hips and knees more than 90° over the years, you risk degenerative changes to cartilage and connective tissue. A Chinese study (Lin et al., 2010) confirms this: Regular knee flexion training can significantly reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

In addition, according to Pitsillides et al. (1999) and Nguyen et al. (2010), deep squats promote the regeneration and nutrition of the joint cartilage in the hip, knee and ankle through the pressure change in the synovial space - a natural mechanism that we only activate through movement.

Back protection and injury prevention

The positive effects are not just limited to the legs and joints. A study by Gorsuch (2013) shows that deep knee flexion training also strengthens the back extensor muscles - which is particularly important for runners to avoid thigh injuries.

The squat as a test of your movement quality

An established functional movement test is the Overhead squat. It provides information about the quality of your movement and reveals any deficits or avoidance patterns. Why? Because almost the entire body is involved in the squat: The ankles, knees, hips, spine, shoulders and torso all have to work together in a coordinated way. This is why the squat is now considered the standard for testing functional movement patterns.

Conclusion: natural, functional, indispensable

The squat is a basic, natural movement - and therefore one of the most effective exercises for preventing pain, improving posture and supporting joint health.

About the AIMO Challenge you will be motivated to perform a healthy amount of squats on a regular basis. You can easily control the quality of your execution using the AIMO Scan control.

Have fun squatting - your body will thank you for it!

Start moving more and improving your squat today.

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