title: Shoulder muscle activation during stable and suspended push-ups at different heights in healthy subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze shoulder muscle activation when performing push-ups under different stability conditions and heights.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparative study by repeated measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Valencia University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  29 healthy males participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects performed 3 push-ups each with their hands at 2 different heights (10 vs. 65 cm) under stable conditions and using a suspension device. Push-up speed was controlled and the testing order was randomized. The average amplitudes of the electromyographic root mean square of the long head of the triceps brachii (TRICEP), upper trapezius (TRAPS), anterior deltoid (DELT) and clavicular pectoralis (PEC) were recorded. The electromyographic signals were normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suspended push-ups at 10 cm resulted in greater activation in the TRICEP (17.14 ± 1.31 %MVIC vs. 37.03 ± 1.80 %MVIC) and TRAPS (5.83 ± 0.58 %MVIC vs. 14.69 ± 1.91 %MVIC) than those performed on the floor. For DELT and PEC similar or higher activation was found performing the push-ups on the floor, respectively. Height determines different muscle activation patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stable push-ups elicit similar PEC and higher DELT muscle activation, being greater at 10 cm; whereas suspended push-ups elicit greater TRAPS and TRICEP muscle activation, being greater at 65 cm.
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Sebastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borreani
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calatayud
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: juan.colado@uv.es.
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Colado
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tella
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moya-Nájera
authors.affiliation: Research Group in Sport and Health, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Performance Studies, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EMG; Instability; Shoulder muscles; Suspension training