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Muscular contribution to low-back loading and stiffness during standard and suspended push-ups.
Hum Mov Sci. 2008 Jun; 27(3):457-72.HM

Abstract

Push-up exercises are normally performed to challenge muscles that span upper extremity joints. However, it is also recognized that push-ups provide an effective abdominal muscle challenge, especially when the hands are in contact with a labile support surface. The purpose of this study was to compare trunk muscle activation levels and resultant intervertebral joint (IVJ) loading when standard and suspended push-ups were performed, and to quantify and compare the contribution of trunk muscles to IVJ rotational stiffness in both exercises. Eleven recreationally trained male volunteers performed sets of standard and suspended push-ups. Upper body kinematic, kinetic, and EMG data were collected and input into a 3D biomechanical model of the lumbar torso to quantify lumbar IVJ loading and the contributions of trunk muscles to IVJ rotational stiffness. When performing suspended push-ups, muscles of the abdominal wall and the latissimus dorsi were activated to levels that were significantly greater than those elicited when performing standard push-ups (p<.05). As a direct result of these increased activation levels, model-predicted muscle forces increased and consequently led to significantly greater mean (p=.0008) and peak (p=.0012) lumbar IVJ compressive forces when performing suspended push-ups. Also directly resulting from the increased activation levels of the abdominal muscles and the latissimus dorsi during suspended push-ups was increased muscular contribution to lumbar IVJ rotational stiffness (p<.05). In comparison to the standard version of the exercise, suspended push-ups appear to provide a superior abdominal muscle challenge. However, for individuals unable to tolerate high lumbar IVJ compressive loads, potential benefits gained by incorporating suspended push-ups into their resistance training regimen may be outweighed by the risk of overloading low-back tissues.

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Publisher Full Text (DOI)

Authors+Show Affiliations

Beach TA
Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1.
Howarth SJ
No affiliation info available
Callaghan JP
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Abdominal MusclesAdultBiomechanical PhenomenaElectromyographyExerciseHumansJointsLumbosacral RegionMaleMuscle ContractionMuscle, SkeletalSkin Physiological PhenomenaStress, MechanicalWeight-Bearing

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

18362038

Citation

Beach, Tyson A C., et al. "Muscular Contribution to Low-back Loading and Stiffness During Standard and Suspended Push-ups." Human Movement Science, vol. 27, no. 3, 2008, pp. 457-72.
Beach TA, Howarth SJ, Callaghan JP. Muscular contribution to low-back loading and stiffness during standard and suspended push-ups. Hum Mov Sci. 2008;27(3):457-72.
Beach, T. A., Howarth, S. J., & Callaghan, J. P. (2008). Muscular contribution to low-back loading and stiffness during standard and suspended push-ups. Human Movement Science, 27(3), 457-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2007.12.002
Beach TA, Howarth SJ, Callaghan JP. Muscular Contribution to Low-back Loading and Stiffness During Standard and Suspended Push-ups. Hum Mov Sci. 2008;27(3):457-72. PubMed PMID: 18362038.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Muscular contribution to low-back loading and stiffness during standard and suspended push-ups. AU - Beach,Tyson A C, AU - Howarth,Samuel J, AU - Callaghan,Jack P, Y1 - 2008/03/24/ PY - 2007/05/09/received PY - 2007/12/10/revised PY - 2007/12/26/accepted PY - 2008/3/26/pubmed PY - 2008/11/6/medline PY - 2008/3/26/entrez SP - 457 EP - 72 JF - Human movement science JO - Hum Mov Sci VL - 27 IS - 3 N2 - Push-up exercises are normally performed to challenge muscles that span upper extremity joints. However, it is also recognized that push-ups provide an effective abdominal muscle challenge, especially when the hands are in contact with a labile support surface. The purpose of this study was to compare trunk muscle activation levels and resultant intervertebral joint (IVJ) loading when standard and suspended push-ups were performed, and to quantify and compare the contribution of trunk muscles to IVJ rotational stiffness in both exercises. Eleven recreationally trained male volunteers performed sets of standard and suspended push-ups. Upper body kinematic, kinetic, and EMG data were collected and input into a 3D biomechanical model of the lumbar torso to quantify lumbar IVJ loading and the contributions of trunk muscles to IVJ rotational stiffness. When performing suspended push-ups, muscles of the abdominal wall and the latissimus dorsi were activated to levels that were significantly greater than those elicited when performing standard push-ups (p<.05). As a direct result of these increased activation levels, model-predicted muscle forces increased and consequently led to significantly greater mean (p=.0008) and peak (p=.0012) lumbar IVJ compressive forces when performing suspended push-ups. Also directly resulting from the increased activation levels of the abdominal muscles and the latissimus dorsi during suspended push-ups was increased muscular contribution to lumbar IVJ rotational stiffness (p<.05). In comparison to the standard version of the exercise, suspended push-ups appear to provide a superior abdominal muscle challenge. However, for individuals unable to tolerate high lumbar IVJ compressive loads, potential benefits gained by incorporating suspended push-ups into their resistance training regimen may be outweighed by the risk of overloading low-back tissues. SN - 0167-9457 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/18362038/Muscular_contribution_to_low_back_loading_and_stiffness_during_standard_and_suspended_push_ups_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -