Press-ups Test

The objective of this test is to assess the endurance of your athlete’s upper body muscles.

Required resources

To undertake this test you will require:

• Flat surface
• Mat
• Stop watch
• Partner.

How to conduct the test

The press-ups test is conducted as follows:

• Lie on the mat, hands shoulder width apart&fully extend the arms – push-up position.
• Lower the body until the elbows reach 90°.
• Return to the starting position with the arms fully extended – starting position.
• The feet are not to be held.
• The push-up action is to be continuous with no rest.
• Complete as many press-ups as possible.
• Record the total number of full body press-ups.

Female athletes tend to have less relative strength in the upper body and therefore can use the modified press up position to assess their upper body strength. The test is then performed as follows:

• Lie on the mat, hands shoulder width apart, bent knee position&fully extend the arms – female press-up position.
• Lower the upper body until the elbows reach 90°.
• Return to the starting position with the arms fully extended.
• The feet are not to be held.
• The push up action is to be continuous with no rest.
• Complete as many modified press-ups as possible.
• Record the total number of modified press-ups.

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement.

Assessment

The table below provide standards for scoring the full body push-up and the modified push-up test.

Number of push-ups completed
Age
Rating	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59	60+
Full body push-up
Excellent	>54	>44	>39	>34	>29
Good	45-54	35-44	30-39	25-34	20-29
Average	35-44	25-34	20-29	15-24	10-19
Fair	20-34	15-24	12-19	8-14	5-9
Poor	<20	<15	<12	<8	<5
Modified push-up
Excellent	>48	>39	>34	>29	>19
Good	34-48	25-39	20-34	15-29	5-19
Average	17-33	12-24	8-19	6-14	3-4
Fair	6-16	4-11	3-7	2-5	1-2
Poor	<6	<4	<3	<2	<1

Target group

This test is suitable for active individuals but not for those where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual’s level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

There are published tables to relate results to potential level of fitness and the correlation is high.