Assessment of the Speed and Power of Push-Ups Performed on Surfaces with Different Degrees of Instability

Abstract

(I) Training in unstable conditions, with different elements, platforms, or situations, has been used because there is a significant increase in muscle activation, balance, proprioception, and even sports performance. However, it is not known how the devices used are classified according to performance variables, nor the differences according to instability experience. (II) This study aims to analyze the differences in power and speed in push-ups with different situations of instability in trained and untrained male subjects. Power and speed in push-up exercise were analyzed in 26 untrained and 25 trained participants in 6 different situations (one stable and five unstable) (1) stable (PS), (2) monopodal (PM), (3) rings (PR), (4) TRX® (PT), (5) hands-on Bosu® (PH) (6) feet on Bosu® (PF). The variables were analyzed using a linear position transducer. (III) The best data were evidenced with PS, followed by PR, PM, PT, PH and PF. The trained subjects obtained better results in all the conditions analyzed in mean and maximum power and speed values (p < 0.001). The decrease in these variables was significantly greater in the untrained subjects than in the trained subjects in the PR situation (8% and 18% respectively). In PF there were differences between groups (p < 0.001), reaching between 32–46% in all variables. The difference between the two groups was notable, varying between 12–58%. (IV) The results showed a negative and progressive influence of instability on power and speed in push-ups. This suggests that instability should be adapted to the subject’s experience and is not advisable in untrained subjects who wish to improve power.

How Does Instability Affect Bench Press Performance? Acute Effect Analysis with Different Loads in Trained and Untrained Populations

“…Therefore, it could be suggested that instability located in the lower part of the body in the bench press exercise produces greater losses in performance than if the instability is located in the upper part of the body. These data are consistent with previous findings [ 31 ]. However, in this case, the differences were much wider than in the present study and with different task such as push-ups.…”

“…These results support previous research which has shown that instability training does not improve the performance in power or movement speed [ 51 , 52 ]. Results in previous research with the push-up exercise showed differences between 13% and 38% as instability increased [ 31 ]. The differences in the current research are less than those in Marquina Nieto et al [ 31 ], varying from 3–5% with the lowest instability (AB) to 17–22% with higher instability (BB and FB).…”

“…Results in previous research with the push-up exercise showed differences between 13% and 38% as instability increased [ 31 ]. The differences in the current research are less than those in Marquina Nieto et al [ 31 ], varying from 3–5% with the lowest instability (AB) to 17–22% with higher instability (BB and FB). Push-ups are an exercise with a similar movement pattern to the bench press, but the characteristics of both tasks are different.…”

“…So far, analysis of these situations has not established a differentiation in the experience of participants using untrained subjects in these types of situations [ 30 ]. There has only been one previous research study that has analyzed these differences [ 31 ]. Following the research line, this paper will try to shed some more light on this discipline.…”

“…According to the literature reviewed, and based on the systematic review conducted [ 38 ], there is a lack of information, and studies, comparing the different stability conditions and their effect on performance variations. Only one study has compared and established differences between different conditions depending on the experience of the participants [ 31 ]. Furthermore, there is no scale or progression of the different instability situations, which determine which devices are more unstable depending on the bench press task.…”