Power and impulse applied during push press exercise.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Understanding the optimal load for maximizing power output is crucial for designing effective training programs.
• The push press and jump squat are both widely used exercises for developing lower-body power.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the load that maximizes peak and mean power, and impulse during the push press exercise.
• To compare these measures with equivalent data from the jump squat exercise.

Main Methods:

• Resistance-trained men performed push press and jump squat exercises with varying loads (10-90% of 1RM).
• Force plate data were collected to measure peak power, mean power, and impulse.
• Loads were incrementally adjusted in 10% 1RM steps.

Main Results:

• Peak power in the push press was maximized at 75.3% 1RM, and mean power at 64.7% 1RM.
• Push press and jump squat maximum peak power and impulse were not significantly different.
• Push press maximum mean power was significantly greater than the jump squat.

Conclusions:

• The mechanical demands of the push press are comparable to the jump squat.
• The push press can be a time-efficient exercise for simultaneously training lower-body power and upper-body/trunk strength.