010-111 · Question #179
Henry would like to focus on improving strength in his chest muscles. Which exercise reflects the specificity principle?
The correct answer is A. Dumbbell fly. The specificity principle requires training the exact muscles and movement patterns targeted for adaptation; the dumbbell fly directly loads the pectoralis major through horizontal adduction.
Question
Henry would like to focus on improving strength in his chest muscles. Which exercise reflects the specificity principle?
Options
- ADumbbell fly
- BDumbbell curl
- CSeated row
- DSeated lat pull-down
How the community answered
(42 responses)- A79% (33)
- B2% (1)
- C12% (5)
- D7% (3)
Why each option
The specificity principle requires training the exact muscles and movement patterns targeted for adaptation; the dumbbell fly directly loads the pectoralis major through horizontal adduction.
The dumbbell fly produces horizontal shoulder adduction, which is the primary action of the pectoralis major, placing it under a stretch-loaded eccentric and concentric contraction that is specific to chest strength development. Per the specificity principle (SAID - Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands), strength gains occur in the muscles and movement patterns that are directly stressed during training.
The dumbbell curl targets the biceps brachii through elbow flexion and does not recruit the pectoralis major as a primary mover.
The seated row trains the posterior shoulder and mid-back muscles through horizontal shoulder abduction - the opposite movement from horizontal adduction performed by the chest.
The seated lat pull-down primarily targets the latissimus dorsi through shoulder adduction and extension, not the pectoralis major.
Concept tested: Specificity principle applied to chest muscle exercise selection
Source: https://www.nsca.com/education/articles/kinetic-select/the-principle-of-specificity-said/
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