NSCF Personal Trainer Complete Practice Exam

The rhomboids are indeed the primary muscles engaged during the seated row exercise that facilitates scapular retraction. Scapular retraction involves pulling the shoulder blades together, which is a fundamental movement performed by the rhomboid muscles located between the scapulae and the spine. When executing a seated row, as you pull the weights towards your torso, the rhomboids contract to draw the scapulae back and toward the spine, allowing for effective engagement of the upper back.

While other muscles like the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and infraspinatus contribute to back strength and movement during various exercises, their roles differ during the specific action of horizontal pulling seen in seated rows. The latissimus dorsi aids in shoulder extension and adduction rather than directly facilitating scapular retraction. The trapezius does assist in retracting the scapulae, particularly at its upper and middle fibers, but the rhomboids are more targeted in this action during the seated row. The infraspinatus primarily functions as a rotator cuff muscle involved in shoulder stabilization and external rotation rather than directly impacting scapular movements. Thus, it is the rhomboids that specifically serve as the prime movers for scapular retraction