Single Leg Half Squat

SINGLE LEG HALF SQUAT

The single leg squat is a unilateral strengthening exercise for the knee extensor muscles. Start by standing on one leg. Begin to squat down by flexing both the knee and hip. Be sure to keep the apex of your knee cap in line with the middle of your foot. Lower your body until your thigh is 45 degrees relative to the floor. Raise the body back up by extending the knee.

Muscles involved:

• quadriceps

  • vastus medialis oblique

  • vastus medialis

  • vastus intermedius

  • vastus lateralis

  • rectus femoris

• gluteus medius (hip and knee stabilizer)

• gluteus maximus (hip extensor)

Related conditions:

• Runner’s Knee / Jumper’s Knee

• Quadriceps tendinitis / patellar tendinitis

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome

• ITB syndrome

• meniscus tear

• ACL tear (post-surgical or grade 1-2 sprains)

Exercise videos