The Side Bend stretch targets which muscle?

The Side Bend stretch targets which muscle?

• A. Triceps
• B. Glute Max
• C. Piriformis
• D. Latissimus Dorsi

Answer: (D)

Side bending stretches target the latissimus dorsi because this muscle runs from the lower spine and pelvis up to the upper arm and crosses the side of the trunk. When you bend to the side and reach the opposite arm overhead, you lengthen the lat along its path from spine to humerus, creating the stretch felt along the back and under the armpit. The other muscles aren’t the primary targets here: the triceps are on the back of the upper arm and aren’t lengthened by a torso side bend; the gluteus maximus sits in the buttock and is stretched by hip movements; the piriformis is a deep hip muscle affected by hip position.

Side bending stretches target the latissimus dorsi because this muscle runs from the lower spine and pelvis up to the upper arm and crosses the side of the trunk. When you bend to the side and reach the opposite arm overhead, you lengthen the lat along its path from spine to humerus, creating the stretch felt along the back and under the armpit. The other muscles aren’t the primary targets here: the triceps are on the back of the upper arm and aren’t lengthened by a torso side bend; the gluteus maximus sits in the buttock and is stretched by hip movements; the piriformis is a deep hip muscle affected by hip position.