PUSHUPS: 40+ a day reduces risk of cardiovascular problems by 96%
August 26, 2019 • 1 min read
-- Pushups – good for the chest, shoulders, core, triceps – and your cardiovascular system. And more the better. Go for 40-plus a day.
A 2019 study involving 1,104 active middle-aged males identified a link between the number of pushups a person can do and their risk of developing a cardiovascular health issue 10 years later.
Males who completed 40-plus pushups a day were 96% less likely to experience a cardiovascular problem than males in the 10 pushup group.
Further research will determine if these associations are the same for females and for people who are older or inactive.
Take it slow
‘Fast’ pushups increase risk of injury.
A 2011 study investigating the effects of pushup speed on elbow joints found that faster pushup speeds resulted in greater forces on the elbow joints, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. They concluded that faster pushups increased the risk of injury to these structures.
The study also showed that slower pushup speeds resulted in greater muscle activation, suggesting that slower pushups are safer and more likely to result in improved muscle development.