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Isometric Floor Press: A Valid, Reliable, and Practical Field-Based Assessment of Upper-Body Strength.
Benjamin J C Kirk1,2,3, Jodie A Wills1,2, Bronia Glen1,2
1Biomechanics, Physical Performance, and Exercise Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|June 29, 2026
Summary
A new isometric floor press (IFP90) is a valid and reliable field test for upper-body strength. This practical assessment offers an alternative to traditional methods, especially when safety and fatigue are concerns.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomechanical Analysis
Background:
- Lack of standardized field-based methods for assessing upper-body isometric strength.
- Need for portable equipment to monitor strength in applied settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the validity and reliability of four novel field-based isometric strength tests.
- Compare supine (isometric floor press) and prone (isometric push-up) variations.
Main Methods:
- Twenty recreationally trained adults performed 1 repetition maximum bench press and familiarization.
- Four isometric tests assessed: isometric push-up (IPU) on knees/feet, isometric floor press (IFP) at 90°/135° elbow angles.
- Validity assessed via Pearson correlation; reliability via ICC and CV%.
Main Results:
- Isometric floor press at 90° (IFP90) demonstrated highest validity (r=0.887).
- All tests showed excellent within-day and between-day reliability (ICC > 0.91).
- Supine IFP variations exhibited greater stability than prone IPU variations.
Conclusions:
- IFP90 is a valid, reliable, and practical field-based assessment for upper-body strength.
- These tests are applicable across diverse populations and strength levels.
- Ideal for settings prioritizing safety, measurement sensitivity, and fatigue minimization.
