Effect of the Foot Placements on the Latissmus Dorsi and Low Back Muscle Activities during Pull-down Exercise

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of foot placement on the latissmus dorsi and low back muscles activities during pull-down exercise. [Subjects] For this study, we recruited 10 male volunteers. [Methods] The subjects performed pull-down exercises with 4 foot placement conditions. The activities of the latissmus dorsi and L4 paraspinal muscles were measured. [Results] The activities of the latissmus dorsi muscles significantly increased in the order of conditions 1 and 2 < condition 4 < condition 3. The activities of the L4 paraspinal muscles were significantly different, with the activities of conditions 1 and 2 being greater than those of conditions 3 and 4. [Conclusion] We suggest that the selection of foot placement is an important factor for the effective strengthening of the latissmus dorsi.