Angle-Specific Upper and Lower Body Muscle Activation in Suspension Training

TSUNG-LIN CHIANG

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy Volunteers

Treatments: Behavioral: Suspension and Stable Push-Up Training at Multiple Angles

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07127211

No. 10711HS080

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aims to compare differences in muscle activation during push-ups performed at five body angles using different suspension methods. The investigators will recruit 20 healthy men with resistance-training experience. Each participant will perform push-ups under three suspension conditions (no suspension, hands suspended, and feet suspended) at +30°, +15°, 0°, -15°, and -30°. For each angle, participants will complete five repetitions with 3-5 minutes of rest between angles; at least 48 hours will separate suspension conditions. Surface electromyography (EMG) will record activity of the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, upper trapezius, and serratus anterior. EMG amplitudes will be normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). Data will be analyzed using a repeated-measures two-way ANOVA to test the effects of suspension type and angle on muscle activation. The a priori hypothesis is that feet-suspended push-ups will elicit greater activation than other conditions, and that lower body angles will be associated with higher activation levels.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: Male

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy male adults with ≥3 months of regular resistance-training experience.
• Able to independently perform a standard push-up with proper form.
• Willing to follow pre-session restrictions (e.g., avoid strenuous exercise within 24 h) and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Physician-diagnosed cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pulmonary disease, or arthritis.
• Major surgery or severe injury within the past 12 months that affects physical activity.
• Current pain, injury, or functional limitation of the upper or lower limbs or trunk that would interfere with push-up performance.
• Any medical condition judged by the investigators to make participation unsafe.