I do think so. Also, I think there are traits of heavily loaded squats which are more ‘specific’ to sprinting than single leg deadlifts…just as the opposite is true. In light of this, I’d prefer to use squats as the primary exercise as I think the overall benefits (outside of specificity argument) of heavy squats is greater than single leg deadlifts.
Squats more specific:
*greater loads are possible
*more similar joint angles and movements observed in sprinting and jumping
Single leg deadlifts more specific:
*unilateral
*greater posterior chain emphasis
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