A study published this year evaluated push-ups as a simple, no-cost measure of CVD risk. It’s the first study to identify a relationship between push-up capacity at a baseline exam and CVD risk over an extended period.
While the results suggest that being able to perform more push-ups at baseline is associated with lower incidence of CVD events among active men, more research is needed about its potential use as a clinical assessment tool.
Protocol
Researchers looked at the records of 1,562 male firefighters aged 21-66 from Indiana who had medical screenings between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2010.
- The firefighters’ initial screening and follow-up exams included push-up capacity testing.
- Clinic staff counted the number of completed push-ups in time with a metronome set at 80 beats per minute.
- Staff counted push-ups until each participant reached 80, missed three or more beats of the metronome, or stopped due to exhaustion.
- Researchers looked for any CVD-related events among the participants during the 10-year period.
Outcome
- Those firefighters who completed fewer than 10 push-ups at their initial exam were at significantly higher risk of CVD over the course of the 10-year period.
- Participants who did 11 or more push-ups at their initial exam were at significantly reduced risk of experiencing a CVD event.
- Push-ups, as a simple, no-cost, fitness estimate, have the potential to improve physical fitness assessments in workplace settings.
- Medical personnel should recommend ways to reduce CVD risk for those who complete a low number of push-ups, especially those only capable of 10 or fewer push-ups.
- Research results may not apply to women or to men of other ages since this study group was middle-aged, active men.
CVD is a leading cause of on-duty death among firefighters. Recent studies show that even moderate physical activity can significantly reduce CVD risk factors.
Despite these research findings, very little emphasis is placed on assessing cardiorespiratory fitness. Physicians often rely on a patient’s self-assessment and lifestyle questionnaires.
Current forms of exercise tolerance tests are expensive and require special equipment and trained personnel to administer them. Many career and volunteer fire departments do not have the means to conduct exercise stress tests for their firefighters.
