Push-ups are a simple but very effective physical test. This exercise helps assess the strength of many muscle groups on the body such as the arms, chest, abdomen, buttocks and legs. When doing this, the body is kept straight from head to toe, supported only by the hands and toes.
For the elderly, the ability to perform at least one standard push-up is considered a good sign of health and anti-aging ability. Push-ups help increase the power to push forward, thereby reducing the risk of falling. When about to fall, the body tends to pour forward in a push-up position like a push-up; people who cannot resist push-ups often have difficulty protecting themselves when they are out of balance.
The aging process reduces nerve and muscle function; from 20 to 70 years old, physical fitness can decrease by 30%. However, regular exercise helps strengthen muscles by increasing muscle fiber thickness.
According to the US national fitness standard, 40-year-old women should do push-ups about 16 times, men about 27 times. At the age of 60, men should reach about 17 times and women about 6 times.
If push-ups on the ground are too difficult, you can start with push-ups on a 45-degree side, then switch to push-ups on the stairs and finally on the flat floor.
