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Strength and conditioning professionals have recognized the similarities between the front and back squat, but they feel that these variations can be used to protect and isolate different muscle groups. It is believed that the front squat requires lower muscular force in the low back. In addition, front squats may also isolate the quadriceps more than back squats or induce greater recruitment from the distal quadriceps. These common beliefs are not supported by empirical evidence.
Several other variations of the squat exercise exist and have been studied. However, few have investigated knee joint kinetics while performing the front and back squat.
Russell and Phillips conducted a preliminary investigation to determine the relative differences in knee extensor requirements and low-back injury risk. These authors have concluded that front and back squats elicited similar knee extensor demands. However, only eight subjects were tested, and no statistical analysis was performed. More recently, Stuart et al. compared front squats, back squats, and lunges. They determined that the exercises tested do not produce excessive tibiofemoral shear or compressive force in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-intact subjects. However, the sample size was limited (N = 6).

The aim of this study was to compare the musculature activity and kinematics of knee and hip joints during front and back
squat with maximal loading. Two-dimensional kinematical data were collected and electromyographic activities of vastus
lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus and erector spinae were
measured while participants (n = 12, 21.2 ± 1.9 years old) were completing front and back squat exercises with maximum
loading.

Conclusion

(...)We also managed to show that the front squat created higher EMG activity in vastus medialis despite
the lighter loads compared to back squat that agrees with the idea of “being a more isolated movement for knee extensors.” It is a known fact that the back squat is used much more commonly compared to its front variation. Results may suggest that the front squat may be a better choice for focusing on knee extensor improvement and/or for preventing lumbar injuries under maximum loading conditions.