How the Rectus Femoris Behaves During Leg Extensions vs. Squats
Sebastiano Cencini works as physiotherapist of Italian Men’s National Volleyball Team and Savino Del Bene Scandicci and has been using our ProbeFix Dynamic in the work with his athletes. By using dynamic ultrasound, he compared the Rectus Femoris during a Leg Extensions and a Squats to see how the muscle adapts under different loading conditions. Read below and access the full case report to learn more about his approach and findings.
By Sebastiano Cencini, PT MSc
Physiotherpaist of Italian Volleyball Team Savino Del Bene Scandicci
What the dynamic ultrasound showed:
– Different movement, different muscle shape
Leg Extensions produced a more concentrated contraction pattern, while Squats showed a broader structural expansion of the muscle.
– Tendon alignment shifts with load
The central tendon angle changed between both exercises, highlighting how internal mechanics adapt to each movement.
– Single‑ vs. double‑leg squat: minimal difference
Muscle morphology looked similar, meaning the exercise type matters more than unilateral versus bilateral execution.
Why This Matters
The Rectus Femoris does not behave the same across exercises.
These insights help coaches and clinicians select the right loading strategy, especially during rehab or return‑to‑sport after quadriceps injuries. Dynamic ultrasound makes these differences visible in real time, supporting more precise decision‑making.
Read the full article below:
