Comparison of Dynamic Push-Up Training and Plyometric Push-Up Training on Upper-Body Power and Strength

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare dynamic pushup (DPU) and plyometric push-up (PPU) training programs on 2 criterion measures: (a) the distance achieved on a sitting, 2-handed medicine ball put, and (b) the maximum weight for 1 repetition of a sitting, 2-handed chest press. Thirty-five healthy women completed 18 training sessions over a 6-week period, with training time and repetitions matched for the DPU (n ϭ 17) and PPU (n ϭ 18) groups. Dynamic push-ups were completed from the knees, using a 2-second-up-2-second-down cadence. Plyometric push-ups were also completed from the knees, with the subjects allowing themselves to fall forward onto their hands and then propelling themselves upward and back to the starting position, with 1 push-up completed every 4 seconds. The PPU group experienced significantly greater improvements than the DPU group on the medicine ball put (p ϭ 0.03). There was no significant difference between groups for the chest press, although the PPU group experienced greater increases.Key Words: plyometric exercise, isotonic exercise, strength training, power training Reference Data: Vossen, J.F., J.F. Kramer, D.G. Burke, and D.P. Vossen. Comparison of dynamic push-up training and plyometric push-up training on upperbody power and strength.

Myoelectric Activation and Kinetics of Different Plyometric Push-Up Exercises

“…However, recent studies have shown increases in maximum dynamic force (3,24), power (21,24), proprioception (22) and kinesthesia (22) when carrying out plyometric training of the upper body muscle groups. As a result, the said exercises have been recommended for use by high-performance athletes in recreational sports and in the field of rehabilitation (3,22,24).…”

“…As a result, the said exercises have been recommended for use by high-performance athletes in recreational sports and in the field of rehabilitation (3,22,24).…”

“…However, despite extensive knowledge regarding push-ups performed in a dynamic regime, we know little about the same exercise when it is carried out plyometrically. It is clear that plyometric push-ups provide an effective way of improving maximum force and muscular power (24), but there has been no systematic study examining the level of stress on the musculoskeletal system or the degree of muscle activation generated by these exercises.…”

Techniques and considerations for determining isoinertial upper‐body power

“…Upper-body power has been quantified using various medicine ball throw tests (Viitasalo, 1988;Lyttle et al, 1996;Borrie et al, 1998;Vossen et al, 2000;Stockbrugger and Haennel, 2001;Salonia et al, 2004;Cronin and Owen, 2004). These tests may be performed as a seated chest pass (Lyttle et al, 1996;Murphy and Wilson, 1996;Vossen et al, 2000;Cronin and Owen, 2004), standing chest pass (Salonia et al, 2004), or as Downloaded by [University of Otago] at 16:44 24 July 2015 overhead forward or backward throws (Vossen et al, 2000, Stockbrugger andHaennel 2001). Although some authors have reported no statistical difference between mean throw distance and throw type (Salonia et al, 2004), this discussion has been limited to movements in which horizontal adduction of the shoulder joint and extension of the elbow are performed, as in a chest pass or push-up movement.…”

“…For a review on isometric testing, see Wilson and Murphy (1996). Vossen et al (2000) had 41 untrained women perform medicine ball throws before and after six weeks of upper-body training. Specifically, this investigation compared two types of push up training; dynamic (two second concentric Downloaded by [University of Otago] at 16:44 24 July 2015 and two second eccentric) and plyometric (explosive actions) push-ups.…”