Biomechanical analysis of the push-up exercise in university male student-athletes from different specializations: a sport-based comparative study

Introduction: Sport-specific training may shape the neuromuscular strategies used in fundamental movements such as the push-up. Objective: To compare the kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic characteristics of push-ups among athletes from gymnastics, swimming, track and field, and basketball. Methodology: Eighty male university athletes performed standardized push-ups while motion capture, dual force platforms, and surface EMG recorded movement, force, and muscle activity. Data were analyzed using MANOVA and correlation analyses (α = 0.05). Results: Gymnasts showed superior trunk stability and high co-activation; swimmers exhibited greater shoulder mobility but reduced core stability; and sprinters and basketball players demonstrated higher force development rates and faster concentric tempos. Discussion: Distinct biomechanical “signatures” reflected sport-specific neuromuscular adaptations. Conclusion: Push-up execution reveals underlying specialization-driven motor control strategies, offering valuable applications for individualized training, performance analysis, and injury prevention.