Intersegmental elbow joint load during pushup.

Intersegmental loading pattern on the elbow joint during a push-up exercise was investigated. Electromagnetic motion sensors and a piezoelectric force plate were used to simultaneously record upper extremity motion and forces on nine healthy male subjects during push-ups in six different hand positions. Peak axial forces exerted on the elbow joint averaged 45 percent of the body weight. Peak torque to produce elbow flexion was 2305.9 N-cm, or 56 percent of maximal isometric extensor torque. The results of this analysis give insight to the biomechanics of a normal elbow and to its load carrying capacity.