One study found that there was significantly lower amounts of activity in the mid-traps, lats, and biceps during the kipping pull-up than in the other strict variations. Increase Lat And Trap Activation Unfortunately there are no studies measuring the effect that coaching has on muscle activation during these exercises. However, there is a study that examined the effect that cueing had on untrained athletes who were performing pulldowns. The study found activation of the lats was significantly higher after coaching than before. Coach yourself. Here are a couple of cues that can dramatically increase the results you see from both the chin-up and the pull-up. Chin-Up and Pull-Up Cues 1 – Chest to bar.