National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

During a lat pulldown exercise, what action involves the use of the teres minor muscle?

1. Pulling the bar to the chest

2. Pulling the bar behind the head

3. Engaging the shoulders in a shrugging motion

4. Isolating the biceps during the lift

The correct answer is: Pulling the bar behind the head

During a lat pulldown exercise, the involvement of the teres minor muscle is most closely associated with pulling the bar behind the head. The teres minor is one of the rotator cuff muscles, playing a crucial role in the stabilization of the shoulder and contributing to external rotation of the arm. When the bar is pulled behind the head, the teres minor assists in this movement by helping to maintain shoulder stability and control the motion as the arms are raised in a position that requires both elevation and external rotation of the shoulder joint. This action primarily requires engagement from the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and rhomboids, but the teres minor assists in stabilizing the shoulder joint during this more complex movement. Pulling the bar to the chest does involve some engagement of the teres minor, but it is less emphasized compared to pulling the bar behind the head where the need for stability and external rotation is greater.