McLeod - Swimming Anatomy - 2010

Execution

1 . Facedown, slide both hands under your chest so that your thumbs touch along the midline of your body at nipple level. Your toes support your lower body.

2.Holding your body in a straight line from your ankles to the top of your head, push your upper body upward until the elbows are almost locked.

3.Lower your body until your chest is 1 inch (2.5 cm) off the ground.

Muscles Involved

Primary:Triceps brachii, pectoralis major

Secondary:Pectoralis minor, anterior deltoid, anconeus, wrist and finger flexors

.SAFETY TIP

Ifyou are currently having shoulder pain or have a history of shoulder problems, avoid dropping too far into the ending position because doing so places extra stress on the shoulderjoint. A good guideline to follow is to stop when the shoulders reach neutral. Because ofthe potential for increased stress on the shoulders, young swimmers who are still working to develop their overall shoulder strength should avoid this exercise.

Swimming Focus

Push-ups are one of the best dryland exercises because they can be performed anywhere and do not require any equipment. Another benefit is that they place the shoulder in what is called a closed-chain position; exercises that do this significantly enhance the recruitment of stabilizing muscles surrounding the shoulder joint.

While performing this or any other type of push-up, one of the main focuses should be on maintaining the body in a straight line from the ankles to the top of the head, just as if you were in a streamlined position in the water. A common mistake is to take the head out of line with the rest of the spine, which will lead to either arching of the back or dropping the hips to the ground. Maintaining proper form, especially a straight spine, is important; therefore, those who cannot maintain this position should modify the exercise by starting on their knees instead of their toes.

VARIATION

Close-Grip Push-Up With Medicine Ball

To increase the complexity and difficulty of this exercise, try using a medicine ball as the base of support. Choose a medicine ball that is approximately half the width of your chest. Position the ball so that its center is aligned with the middle of your chest and in line with your nipples.

Execution

1 . Lie face up on a bench and grasp the bar using an overhand grip with your hands spaced 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) apart.

2.Lower the bar to a point just below the nipple line and allow your elbows to drift out at a 45-degree angle.

3.As soon as the bar touches your chest, reverse the movement.