# Comparative Analysis of Performance in the High-Bar vs. Low-Bar Squat
## 4 Discussion
Despite the normalized data in men and women, the greater dispersion of values in females vs. males (as shown in Figure 4) showed us the initial differences among female participants. The relationship between muscle strength and body size has attracted considerable attention from researchers, based on everyday life experience suggesting that taller or heavier individuals are usually stronger than shorter and lighter ones [44]. The physiological differences between males and females, particularly in muscle fiber composition, play a significant role in athletic performance. Females typically have a higher proportion of slow-twitch (Type I) muscle fibers, which are more fatigue-resistant and suited for endurance activities, while males have a higher proportion of fast-twitch (Type II) muscle fibers, which are more suited for explosive strength and power activities. These differences are influenced by hormonal factors, such as testosterone and estrogen, which affect muscle mass, fiber type distribution, and contractile properties [45]. Another key finding in this study was that there were no differences in the velocity of the movement at 1 RM. This can be explained by the findings of the aforementioned study [23], where no significant differences in knee extension angle were found between the two techniques. If the knee's range of motion is similar in the two techniques, the linear squat depth (as determined by the linear position transducer) would not vary too much. Therefore, since movement velocity is one of the most important factors when programming strength training [46], this information can help design more accurate training programs based on velocity for those who train powerlifting using the low-bar technique in the squat. Many athletes, both professionals and amateurs, and even coaches are unaware of the advantages of something as simple as slightly modifying the bar when squatting, both to maximize results and to carry out correct programming. Unfortunately, there are still few studies that have been carried out on this topic, and the majority of those were studies at the biomechanical and anthropometric level [47; 48]. In this sense, the interaction between muscle fiber types and squat techniques can significantly impact performance under different loads. For instance, the high-bar squat, which involves greater knee flexion and a more upright torso, may favor the activation of slow-twitch (Type I) fibers due to its emphasis on quadriceps engagement and endurance. Conversely, the low-bar squat, which involves greater hip flexion and a forward lean, may favor the activation of fast-twitch (Type II) fibers due to its emphasis on hip extensors and explosive power. This is supported by findings that athletes with a higher proportion of Type II fibers tend to excel in power and sprint activities, while those with more Type I fibers perform better in endurance tasks [49]. Although most results demonstrated large effect sizes, as with many studies, a limitation of this study might be the moderate sample population of 10 men and 9 women. However, our participants had previous experience in strength training. A greater number of data points could have provided more rigorous values. Fat mass and fat-free mass were not analyzed and could again have provided more precise interpretations regarding normalized weight, which could be interesting for future investigations. The study is limited by its focus on the 1 RM movement analyzed using SPM without performing a full waveform analysis. Future research incorporating musculoskeletal modeling with 3D motion capture, force plates, and EMG could provide valuable insights into muscle forces, joint ligament loading, and full-body coordination, thereby further elucidating the differences between techniques and genders [50]. It is also necessary to highlight that although the primary focus of the analysis was the effect of interaction, the lack of a standardized increase in load lifted for all participants could influence the comparison of the force-velocity profile by gender.