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

Angle-Specific Upper and Lower Body Muscle Activation in Suspension Push-Ups: An Electromyographic Analysis Across Different Body Angles

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Volunteers
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Suspension and Stable Push-Up Training at Multiple Angles

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 26

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taipei City, Taiwan, 11114
    • Chinese Culture University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy male adults with at least 3 months of regular resistance-training experience, capable of independently performing a standard push-up with proper form. Participants will be recruited from university sports facilities and local fitness centers through flyers, online announcements, and word of mouth.

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Activation (%MVIC) of Upper Body Muscles During Suspension and Stable Push-Ups at Different Angles	Surface electromyography (EMG) will measure the root mean square (RMS) activity of the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, upper trapezius, and serratus anterior during push-ups performed under three suspension conditions (no suspension, hands suspended, feet suspended) at five body angles (+30°, +15°, 0°, -15°, -30°). RMS values will be normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). Comparisons will be made using repeated-measures two-way ANOVA to determine the effects of suspension condition and angle on muscle activation.	Baseline measurement during each exercise condition within 4 weeks of study start

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: TSUNG-LIN CHIANG

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 3, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 22, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): November 22, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 11, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 11, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): August 17, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 20, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 15, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: strength training; Muscle Activation; Suspension Training; Angle-Specific Training; unstable training
• Other Study ID Numbers: No. 10711HS080

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No