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Kinematic and kinetic analysis of push-up exercise
K N An1, S L Korinek, T Kilpela
1Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation
|January 1, 1990
Summary
This study measured joint loads during push-ups using force platforms and motion tracking. Findings reveal how hand placement, movement plane, foot position, and speed impact upper limb joint forces.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Analysis
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Push-ups are a common exercise for upper body strength.
- Understanding joint loading is crucial for injury prevention and performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally measure and analytically determine joint loads (wrist, elbow, shoulder) during push-ups.
- To investigate the influence of various exercise parameters on these loads.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a piezoelectric force platform to capture hand forces (vertical, shear) and moments.
- Employed an electromagnetic tracking system to correlate hand measurements with upper limb joint kinematics.
- Analyzed factors including hand position, arm movement plane, foot placement, and push-up speed.
Main Results:
- Identified key factors influencing intersegmental joint loads: palm-to-shoulder distance, arm movement plane, and foot positioning.
- Demonstrated that push-up speed significantly affects inertial loads superimposed on static loads.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a detailed biomechanical analysis of the push-up exercise.
- Results offer insights into optimizing push-up technique for managing joint stress and enhancing training effectiveness.