Hey Dr. Feigenbaum,
First of all big fan of you and the barbell medicine crew. You guys put out great content. My question is directed towards you since you have said multiple times that you have a short torso and long femurs. I was wondering if you think olympic weightlifting shoes have a big affect on your ability to low bar squat. I notice that when i try to low bar squat i get both quad tendonitis and lower back soreness/pain. Where as my high bar squat with oly shoes (that i got to try out thanks to a friend) feel fantastic. I have yet to buy my own pair of oly shoes yet but was wondering if you think they would have a big impact on my low bar squat. I tend to have a lot of butt wink when i low bar squat. Also any cues that you think would be helpful for a fellow long femur squatter would be much appreciated. Thanks doc!
I don’t think I’ve said I have particularly long femurs or a short torso, just a little bit longer (femur) and shorter (torso) than Baraki. I’d guess I’m within 1 standard deviation of normal.
As far as a heeled shoe’s affect on the ability to LBBS I don’t think there’s any connection there.
It is unlikely that you acutely develop a tendinopathy acutely or acute low back pain solely due to the type of squat you do, but perhaps the programming should be evaluated to make sure it’s appropriate.
That said, if you always develop conditions that prevent you from productively training the squat then it would be better to choose a style of squat where that doesn’t occur.
Also, butt wink isn’t a thing (unless you’re referring to lumbar flexion) and yes I would recommend lifting shoes.
My mistake for thinking you said you had a short torso and long legs. I must be confusing you for someone else. Yeah i do mean lumbar flexion actually. I notice when i high bar squat I can go to depth with no problems where as the low bar produces lumbar flexion. I find this strange as i thought low bar would be easier to hit depth on. Also that reply was way faster than i thought it would be so thanks again doc.