The goal of the present article is to compare neuromuscular activation patterns among medial-lateral, superior-inferior, and rotational positions of palms for 14 selective muscles during the push-up exercise. Muscle activity and kinematics information of fifteen males (68.35 ± 7.18 kg, 175 ± 3.40 cm, 24.50 ± 7.50 years) were recorded by Myon Electromyographic (EMG) system and Vicon motion capture, respectively. EMG activity in the anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, upper pectoralis major, middle pectoralis major, lower pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, triceps lateral, triceps medial, biceps brachii, upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius was measured. According to the results, the narrow position of palms increased the infraspinatus, upper pectoralis major, triceps brachii (lateral and medial head), middle trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles, while the wide position of palms enhanced the lower pectoralis major muscle. Superior positions of palms enhanced the upper trapezius, while the inferior positions of palms increased the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, biceps brachii, middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and pectoralis major (lower, middle, and upper) muscles. Internal positions of the palms increased all pectoralis major muscles (lower, middle, and upper), while external positions (lower, middle, and upper) enhanced the middle deltoid, latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles. The information about muscle activation during various types of push-ups can potentially help athletes, coaches, personal trainers, and clinicians to apply modified push-up exercises to make new systematic and useful exercise plans.

Variations, such as wide-arm and diamond push-ups, target specific muscle groups and provide further challenges. The American English term push-up was first The push-up (press-up in British English) is a common calisthenics exercise beginning from the prone position. By raising and lowering the body using the arms while using the legs as support, push-ups exercise the pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids, with ancillary benefits to the rest of the deltoids, serratus anterior, coracobrachialis, and the midsection as a whole. Push-ups are a The push-up (press-up in British English) is a common calisthenics exercise beginning from the prone position. By raising and lowering the body using the arms while using the legs as support, push-ups exercise the pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids, with ancillary benefits to the rest of the deltoids, serratus anterior, coracobrachialis, and the midsection as a whole. Push-ups are a repetitive basic exercise used in civilian athletic training or physical education and commonly in military physical training. It is also a common form of punishment used in the military, school sport, and some martial arts disciplines for its humiliating factor (when one fails to do a specified amount) and for its lack of equipment. Variations, such as wide-arm and diamond push-ups, target specific muscle groups and provide further challenges. The primary muscle groups targeted by push-ups include chest, front and medial deltoids, as well as triceps and forearm muscles. While the push-up primarily targets the muscles of the chest, arms, and shoulders, support required from other muscles results in a wider range of muscles integrated into the exercise.