Male-Female Differences in Push-up Test Performance at Various Cadences.

ABSTRACT: Rozenek, R, Byrne, JJ, Crussemeyer, J, and Garhammer, J. Male-Female Differences in Push-up Test Performance at Various Cadences. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3324-3329, 2022-Push-up (PU) testing is widely used to assess upper-extremity muscular endurance. However, little information exists regarding the influence of cadence on PU performance. Forty-four healthy men and women (age range = 21-36 years) completed 4 PU test sessions on separate days in a randomized order using standard PUs. Cadences of 30, 45, and 60 PU·min -1 were used for 3 tests, whereas a fourth test was performed at a self-selected (SS) cadence. The total number of PUs completed, vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs) acting on each hand and the feet, and the sum of the vGRFs were determined for each test. Results showed men performed more PU than women at any cadence ( p ≤ 0.05) and had a faster mean SS cadence (49.9 ± 11.4 PU·min -1 vs 42.8 ± 8.4 PU·min -1 ) ( p ≤ 0.05). The maximum number of PU were performed when using either the SS cadence or 60 PU·min -1 , with little difference observed between them ( p ≤ 0.05). The sum of vGRFs was greatest at 60 PU·min -1 and when scaled to body mass (BM) represented 1.58 ± 0.14x and 1.33 ± 0.08x BM for men and women, respectively. As cadence increased, men shifted more weight to the hand contact points compared with women ( p ≤ 0.05). Distinct differences in SS cadence and distribution of forces were observed between the sexes suggesting different strategies while performing the PU test. These differences should be considered when selecting a protocol for PU testing.

Anthropometry and barbell trajectory in the snatch lift for elite women weightlifters.

The primary objective of this study was to examine relationships between anthropometry and horizontal barbell displacement during the pulling phase of the snatch lift (SN) in elite women weightlifters. Secondary objectives included description of anthropometric and displacement characteristics, and examinations of SN performance and competitive experience. Thirty-six women weightlifters competing at the 2009 Pan American Championships participated. Participants were measured for standing height, upper limb, trunk, thigh, and shank lengths, and completed a questionnaire about competition and training experience. Horizontal displacement from lift-off to first pull maximum (Dx1) and from first pull to second pull maximum (Dx2) was determined from the heaviest successful SN using 2-dimensional video analysis. Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) existed between thigh and lower-limb lengths and Dx2 in 53 kg participants; lower-limb length and Dx1 in 75 kg participants; and horizontal displacement and body segment ratios involving the upper and lower extremity in multiple weight classes. Correlations between anthropometry and Dx1 also reached significance with participants grouped by barbell trajectory type. Except for the trunk and thigh, body segment lengths were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) between weight classes. Significantly different body proportions existed in 48 kg participants compared with all other classes. Multiple thigh and trunk variables were significantly correlated with performance. Horizontal displacement values were similar to previous reports in the literature. Few significant relationships existed between displacement and performance, and none were found for competitive experience. Understanding relationships between anthropometry and barbell trajectory may be useful for optimizing SN technique.