Which joint action is primarily involved in a Romanian deadlift?

The Romanian deadlift primarily involves a hip hinge movement. This action focuses on flexing and extending the hip joint while maintaining a neutral spine. During the Romanian deadlift, the individual bends at the hips, allowing the torso to move forward while keeping the legs relatively straight. This emphasizes the engagement of the gluteal and hamstring muscles as the lifter returns to an upright position.

The hip hinge is essential for target training of the posterior chain, which includes the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. It is a critical movement pattern for developing strength and stability in these muscle groups.

In contrast, a squat movement primarily emphasizes a flexion and extension at the knees and hips simultaneously, which is different from the isolated hip hinge used in the Romanian deadlift. Knee extension also does play a role in the motion but is not the primary action being targeted. Shoulder elevation is unrelated in this context, as it does not contribute to the primary mechanics of the Romanian deadlift. Thus, the hip hinge is key to understanding how to effectively perform this exercise, as it maximizes engagement and benefits for the muscles involved.