Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) Practice Test

The primary muscle groups engaged during the Deadlift include the hamstrings, glutes, lower back, and core. This exercise is a compound movement that targets multiple muscles at once, focusing significantly on the posterior chain—especially the hamstrings and gluteal muscles, which are crucial for hip extension.

As the lifter initiates the movement by lifting the barbell from the ground, the hamstrings and glutes are heavily recruited to extend the hips and stabilize the pelvis. Additionally, the lower back muscles play a vital role in maintaining spinal alignment and supporting the lift as the weight rises. The core muscles, encompassing the abdominal and oblique muscles, assist in stabilizing the torso throughout the movement, protecting the spine from excessive strain.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the primary muscle engagement in the Deadlift. For instance, the calves and quadriceps are more involved in movements like squats rather than Deadlifts, while the upper body muscles such as the biceps, triceps, and shoulders focus on different types of lifts, typically involving pressing motions rather than pulling from the ground. Finally, the chest, abs, and forearms are secondary or not significantly engaged in the Deadlift execution itself, reinforcing that the primary