In 2018, Fabrício E. Rossi and a team studied 30 adults randomly assigned to three groups: back squat only, leg press only, or both, for 10 weeks of twice-weekly lower body workouts. Each group did 6 sets of 8-12 reps with 90-120 seconds rest, keeping other training the same. They measured max squat strength, body composition, jump height, and balance.

A 2024 randomized controlled trial at Zhejiang University had participants either sit all day, do one 30‑minute walk, or take 3‑minute walking or squatting breaks every 45 minutes. The walking and squatting groups saw significantly better post-meal blood sugar control, with squats and walks far outperforming sitting and even surpassing the single walk.