TRUNK AND SHOULDER MUSCLE ACTIVITIES DURING PUSH-UP EXERCISE ON STABLE AND UNSTBLE SURFACES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity of the prime movers and core stabilizers on stable and unstable surfaces during push-up exercise. Subject: Fourteen healthy male participants (age, 21.6 ±2.3 years; height, 174.7 ±8.1cm; weight, 68.2 ±16.4kg) without low back pain and shoulder injury in the past year were recruited. The participants completed push-up exercise in three conditions: on the ground, air disc and sling. EMG activities of external abdominal oblique, pectoralis major, and anterior deltoid muscles and elbow joint kinematics were recorded. Our results showed that external abdominal oblique muscle had significantly greater activity in the sling group (p <.05). Unstable resistance exercises with sling can be instituted during training to induce the external abdominal oblique activation and to improve core stability.