What type of exercise requires movement at only one joint?

Isolation exercises are specifically designed to target a single joint and the associated muscle group, allowing for focused strengthening and rehabilitation. These exercises primarily emphasize the movement of one joint, which makes them ideal for addressing specific weaknesses, imbalances, or conditions without involving other joints or muscle groups.

For example, exercises such as bicep curls focus solely on the elbow joint, effectively isolating the biceps muscle. This is beneficial in rehabilitative settings or for bodybuilders aiming to enhance specific areas of their physique. By concentrating on one joint, isolation exercises help to promote muscle growth in targeted areas and can aid in preventing injury by strengthening underactive muscles.

In contrast, compound exercises involve multiple joints and muscle groups, making them more functional but not focused on a single joint. Functional exercises mimic everyday movements, dynamic exercises involve changing body positions or maintaining stability during movement, and none of these options are centered around isolating a single joint in the same way isolation exercises are.