National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which muscles are emphasized when performing a lat pulldown by pulling the bar down behind the head?

1. The rhomboids and pectoralis major

2. The middle trapezius and rhomboids

3. The biceps and pectoralis major

4. The middle trapezius and teres minor

The correct answer is: The middle trapezius and rhomboids

When performing a lat pulldown by pulling the bar down behind the head, the emphasis is placed on the middle trapezius and rhomboids. This position requires significant scapular retraction and depression, actions primarily facilitated by these muscles. The middle trapezius is responsible for retracting the scapula, pulling the shoulder blades together, which is essential in this motion as the bar moves behind the head. The rhomboids, located between the shoulder blades, also play a crucial role in retracting the scapula and stabilizing the shoulder girdle during the exercise. In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary muscle engagement during this specific lat pulldown variation. The pectoralis major is primarily involved in shoulder flexion and adduction and is not significantly activated in this pulling motion. The biceps do assist in elbow flexion but are not the primary muscles targeted in this movement. The teres minor is primarily involved in external rotation of the shoulder and does not have a primary role in the lat pulldown behind the head. Thus, the correct emphasis is on the middle trapezius and rhomboids for this exercise.