Shoulder muscle activation during stable and suspended push-ups at different heights in healthy subjects. Issue 3 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borreani, Sebastien; Calatayud, Joaquin; Colado, Juan C.; Tella, Victor; Moya-Nájera, Diego; Martin, Fernando; Rogers, Michael E.
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 16:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 248
• Page End: 254
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.12.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sectitle0015">Objectives</title> <p id="abspara0010">To analyze shoulder muscle activation when performing push-ups under different stability conditions and heights.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0020">Study design</title> <p id="abspara0015">Comparative study by repeated measures.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0025">Setting</title> <p id="abspara0020">Valencia University laboratory.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0030">Participants</title> <p id="abspara0025">29 healthy males participated.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0035">Main outcome measures</title> <p id="abspara0030">Subjects performed 3 push-ups each with their hands at 2 different heights (10 vs. 65 cm) under stable conditions and using a suspension device. Push-up speed was controlled and the testing order was randomized. The average amplitudes of the electromyographic root mean square of the long head of the triceps brachii (TRICEP), upper trapezius (TRAPS), anterior deltoid (DELT) and clavicular pectoralis (PEC) were recorded. The electromyographic signals were normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0040">Results</title> <p id="abspara0035">Suspended push-ups at 10 cm resulted in greater activation in the TRICEP (17.14 ± 1.31 %MVIC vs. 37.03 ± 1.80 %MVIC) and TRAPS (5.83 ± 0.58 %MVIC vs. 14.69 ± 1.91 %MVIC) than those performed on the floor. For DELT and PEC similar or higher activation was found performing the push-ups on the floor, respectively. Height determines different muscle activation patterns.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0045">Conclusions</title> <p id="abspara0040">Stable push-ups elicit similar PEC and higher DELT muscle activation, being greater at 10 cm; whereas suspended push-ups elicit greater TRAPS and TRICEP muscle activation, being greater at 65 cm.</p> </sec> </abstract>