Bryan Christensen, professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences, is quoted in the recent New York Times article titled “The Power of the Squat.”

Christensen, who studies biomechanics, strength and conditioning, said, “For lower-body strength and flexibility, there is probably no better exercise.”

The article outlines the benefits of the exercise and how to properly get started and perform more challenging squats.

“There are plenty of squat variations,” Christensen said in the article. “The goblet squat is one of the most accessible.”

The goblet squat is completed while holding a dumbbell or other weight close to your chest with both hands.

In a recent study Christensen led with doctoral student Kyle Collins, “Differences in Muscle Activity and Kinetics Between the Goblet Squat and Landmine Squat in Men and Women,” it was found that there were differences in ground reaction forces and muscle activity between the goblet and landmine squats.

Also quoted in the article were Silvio Rene Lorenzetti of the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport, Sasa Duric of the American University of the Middle East in Kuwait and Brad Schoenfeld of Lehman College in New York.

Christensen joined NDSU in 2002. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, and his master’s degree and doctorate of education in physical education at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

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