Effect of Push-up Speed on Elbow Joint Loading

2010 
Push-up is a common exercise used for strengthening the upper extremity muscles. Knowledge of elbow kinematics and kinetics may be helpful in preventing injuries due to push-ups if the elbow shear force can be reduced. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different push-up speeds on elbow joint loading. Fourteen healthy male graduate students volunteered for this investigation. In a motion analysis laboratory, the Expert Vision motion system with eight 240 Hz cameras and 1000 Hz Kistler force plates were used to measure relative joint positions and ground reaction forces. The surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure the signals of muscle activity. Each subject performed push-ups in three different conditions that were pre-determined: fast speed (7 push-ups/10 s), regular speed (5 push-ups/10 s), and slow speed (4 push-ups/10 s). The kinematics and kinetics data were obtained from the Expert Vision motion system. The joint angles, resultant forces and moments of the elbow at different push-up speeds were calculated by laboratory-developed software. The peak elbow medial shear force and compression force in the fast group were 1.35 and 1.23 times greater than those in the slower group, respectively. In addition, the peak valgus moment, extension moment, and pronation moment at fast push-up speed were 1.63, 1.34 and 1.41 times greater than at slow speed, respectively. Additionally, performing the push-up more slowly could significantly increase the muscle activations in triceps brachii, biceps brachii, and posterior deltoid muscle groups, and thus be of greater benefit in muscle training. Therefore, performing the push-up exercise more slowly may be a better strategy for strengthening the upper extremity muscles.
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