01 - Introduction & Background

The techniques we often implement during exercise are performed incorrectly without our knowledge and present a potential risk of injury. Therefore, our main objective in this project is to take a common exercise that is often performed incorrectly and design a mechanism which corrects the motion and optimizes the exercise. For example, rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a common injury which can occur due to a multitude of reasons including sport and exercise. Rehabilitation after ACL surgery to strengthen the affected limb back to working conditions often includes performing the split leg squat. This technique focuses solely on the injured side such that the opposite side will not compensate for movements. After meeting with the Director of Applied Sports Science for UT Athletics, we decided to tackle the issues regarding a split leg squat. A split leg squat is performed when the lifter takes a staggered stance with each foot in the posterior and anterior directions, respectively. With feet drawn hip-width apart, the lifter lowers the posterior leg until the anterior leg forms approximately a 90-deg angle through the shank and thigh segments. The posterior leg can be either in an elevated position (Figure 1) or on the ground.