Upper body push-pull strength of normal young adults in sagittal plane at three heights

Twenty young adults (ten males ? mean age = 21.1 years; ten females ? mean age = 21.1 years) were tested for their two-handed push-pull strength in sagittal plane at heights of 35 cm (low), 100 cm (medium) and 150 cm (high) in isometric and isokinetic modes. The lower extremities of the subjects were stabilized in a custom-designed device at hip, knees and ankle. The twelve experimental conditions (2 activities ? push and pull × 3 heights × 2 modes) were randomized. The push-pull strengths were measured using a modified Static Dynamic Strength Tester with a SM 500 load cell. The analogue data were sampled and collected at 50 Hz through a Metrabyte DAS 20 in an IBM XT. Males as well as females were strongest in pulling at medium height in isometric mode. The isometric pushing strengths ranged between 41% to 68%, and 27% to 44% for males and females respectively when normalized against mean pulling strength of males at medium height. The isokinetic strengths were invariably significantly lower than isometric strength (p < 0.01).