COMPARISON OF THE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY DURING PUSH-UP EXERCISE WITH THREE DIFFERENT CONDITIONS IN HEALTHY ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different push-up conditions(standard push-up (SDP), Swiss-ball push-up (SWP), and suspension push-up (SPP) on muscle activities of the anterior deltoids, pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, and triceps brachii muscles by using
electromyography (EMG) analysis. Method: Seventeen healthy male subjects (mean age ±SD = 22.76 ± 2.61 years, mean height ±SD= 173.53 ± 4.84 cm, mean weight ±SD = 71.18 ± 8.04 kg, mean body mass index ±
SD = 23.57 ± 1.77 kg/m-2). On the experimental day, general characteristics and body composition were measured. After that, subjects were suggested to warm up and stretching for 10 minutes and then they were measured EMG of four different muscles while randomly performing 3 push-up conditions; (SDP), (SWP), and (SPP). Data analysis used smart analysis software, a Butterworth low-pass filter, with a cutoff frequency of 20
Hz for low-pass and 400 Hz for the high-pass. One-way ANOVA repeated measurement was used to determine normalized percentage of maximum voluntary contraction. Results: For (SWP) condition, results
showed that %MVC values of anterior deltoids muscle had significantly lower than those of (SDP) and (SPP) (p<0.05). Pectoralis major muscle had significantly lower than (SDP) and (SPP) (p<0.05). And for (SDP)
conditions, %MVC values of rectus abdominis muscle had significantly lower than (SWP) and (SPP) (p<0.05). For (SPP) condition, %MVC values of anterior deltoids and pectoralis major were significantly higher than
(SWP) condition and %MVC values of rectus abdominis was significantly higher than (SDP) condition(p<0.05). Interestingly %MVC values of triceps brachii showed no significant difference when compare among three
different conditions. Conclusion: The EMG results in this study showed that (SPP) condition can activate triceps brachii, pectoralis major, rectus abdominis muscles more than (SWP). And (SPP) condition for
individual advanced training, whereas (SWP) condition would be recommended for moderate training,proprioception training or specific training especially triceps brachii muscle as well as rehabilitation training.
For (SDP) condition, it could be used for only the anterior deltoids muscle.
(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2016; 16(1) : 33-44 )
Keywords: EMG Push-up, Electromyography, Push-up devices, Push-up condition

*Corresponding author: Natthaphol Phewkham
College of Sports Science and Technology,
Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand 73170
E-mail: tomt9113@gmail.com