Question

How does muscle activity vary within the primary agonists (prime movers) when comparing a wide grip pull up (hands in pronated position) to a close grip (curl grip) pulldown? Please make reference to; muscle activation differences, rage of motion differences as well as the stronger reliance on secondary muscle groups to add to force production capability

Answer 1

In wide grip pull up,both the hands grip are more than the shoulders width due to which different muscles work while in close grip both the hands grip are close to each other due to which different muscle work.

In wide group,muscles which are prime movers are - latissimus dorsi which helps in shoulder internal rotation ,shoulder adduction and shoulder extension .Trapezius helps in shoulder elevation. Thoracic erector spinae helps mainly in back extension. Teres minor,rhomboids and infraspinatus all are the prime movers in wide grip pull up.

Close grip pull ups mainly recruit biceps, chest muscles that is pectoralis. Latismuss dorsi is the prime mover in both types of pull ups.

Secondary muscles assisting in pulls ups are lower Trapezius,teres minor, infraspinatus,rhomboids.

Close grip pull ups provide large advantage because