Which of the following movements primarily utilizes horizontal adduction?

The answer is correct because the bench press primarily involves horizontal adduction of the shoulder joint. In this movement, when you lower the barbell to your chest, your arms move outward from a position at your sides and then press upward, bringing them closer together over the torso. This motion emphasizes the activation of the pectoral muscles, which are significantly engaged during horizontal adduction.

In contrast, the deadlift, squat, and pull-up do not focus on this specific plane of movement. The deadlift primarily involves hip extension and works on the posterior chain, including the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. The squat emphasizes flexion and extension primarily at the knee and hip joints, engaging the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The pull-up focuses on vertical adduction and pulling movement primarily in the upper body, particularly targeting the back and biceps, rather than engaging the horizontal plane of shoulder movement.