# The Use of Free Weight Squats in Sports: A Narrative Review--Terminology and Biomechanics
## 5 Defining the Foot Position in Squatting  
One factor that must always be considered when examining the scientific and practical literature on squatting is how foot placement is defined. Specifically, it is important to establish a description of both the stance width and foot angle used [17; 20; 81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86], as these two characteristics may have an impact on the kinematics and muscle activation patterns associated with the squatting movement [17; 83]. Squat stance width: Careful examination of the scientific literature reveals little consensus on how foot placement is described or quantified [17; 20; 81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86]. However, three common squatances including the (1) narrow, (2) medium or shoulder-width, and (3) wide stance are generally referenced in the scientific and applied literature [20; 84]. See Table 2 for a more detailed explanation. Traditionally, an athlete's squat stance has been established by using the shoulders as a reference point [20; 83; 85]. Specifically, the narrow stance has been defined as being between 87 and 118% of shoulder width for the low bar squat [20] or 75% of shoulder width for the high bar squat [84]. The medium stance is typically equal to the athlete's shoulder width for a high bar squat [84] or between 121 and 153% of shoulder width for the low bar squat [20]. A stance width of 120% of shoulder width is often used to define a wide stance with the high bar squat [84], while a wide stance with a low bar squat would be equal to 158-196% of shoulder width [20]. An alternative method for determining the stance width during a low bar squat is to measure the distance anteriorly between the lateral aspect of the left and right acromion process [85]. Using this method, a narrow stance would have a distance of 40.9 \(\pm\) 3.8 cm between the left and right ankle centers, while the medium stance would have a distance 59.7 \(\pm\) 6.6 cm, and the wide stance a distance of 69.6 \(\pm\) 9.5 cm. When using a high bar squat, the stance can be established in relation to the greater trochanter distance (GTd) with the narrow, medium, and wide stances being 100%, 150%, and 200% of G \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Author** & **Squatting Movement** & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Stance Width Measurement**} \\  & & **Narrow Stance** & **Medium Stance** & **Wide Stance** \\ \hline [PERSON] et al. [20; 81] & Low bar back squat & 40.9 \(\pm\) 3.8 cm * & 59.7 \(\pm\) 6.6 cm * & 69.6 \(\pm\) 9.5 cm * \\  & & 87–118\% shoulder width & 121–153\% shoulder width & 158–196\% shoulder width \\  & & 75\% of shoulder width & Shoulder width & 120\% shoulder width \\  & & High bar back squat & 100\% G1d & 150\% G1d & 200\% G1d \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note.* Measurement of stance width was established as the linear distance between the left and right ankle joint centers. GTd = distance between R and L greater trochanter.  
\end{table} 
Table 2: Squat stance terminology. Squat stance foot angle: The stance utilized in the squat also requires reference to the angle of foot placement [20; 81; 83; 85]. The foot placement is of particular interest because it has been reported to impact muscle activation patterns [83; 85]. Typically, in the applied literature, the angle of foot placement is related to a position in which the foot is directly pointing forward, often referred to as the center position. Often, an outward rotation of 25-30\({}^{\circ}\) from center is recommended when using a high bar back squat [87]. For example, [PERSON] et al. [81] reported that the angle of rotation of the feet during a narrow, medium, or wide stance is 20 \(\pm\) 5\({}^{\circ}\), 23 \(\pm\) 3\({}^{\circ}\), and 26 \(\pm\) 4\({}^{\circ}\), respectively, during a low bar back squat. However, [PERSON] et al. [83] suggested that a moderate foot placement angle (approximately 20\({}^{\circ}\)) in combination with a moderate stance width (with feet approximately shoulder width apart) should be used.