Mayer et al. (2002) investigated the effect of
hip rotation angle on gluteus maximus EMG amplitude during 45 - degree back extensions.
Comparing squats with different
hip rotation angles, Ninos et al. (1997) found no differences in muscle activity between squats with the feet pointing neutrally forwards and the feet turned out at 30 degrees (using the same absolute load).
Not exact matches
Although stance width appears to have no effect, greater
hip external
rotation angles (up to 30 degrees) appear to cause increased
hip adductor muscle activity.
In contrast, Pereira et al. (2010) found that
hip adductor muscle activity was increased by increasing
hip external
rotation angle (between 0 and 30 degrees), when using the same absolute load for each variation.
Since strength is specific, then: strength training exercises or exercise variations involving moderately flexed peak knee
angles, very flexed
hip and trunk
angles, and some torso
rotation or lateral bend may be most valuable for improving COD ability.