Muscular contribution to low-back loading and stiffness during standard and suspended push-ups

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 compa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human movement science 2008-06, Vol.27 (3), p.457-472
Main Authors: Beach, Tyson A.C., Howarth, Samuel J., Callaghan, Jack P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Muscles - physiology
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Electromyography
Exercise
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Injury prevention
Joints - physiology
Lumbosacral Region - physiology
Male
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Resistance training
Skin Physiological Phenomena
Spine load
Stability
Stress, Mechanical
Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
Weight-Bearing - physiology
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Summary: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
ISSN:0167-9457
1872-7646
DOI:10.1016/j.humov.2007.12.002