As a symbol of health and wellness, nothing surpasses the simple push-up.
Is great to note that the late actor Jack Palance performing age-defying push-ups during his Oscar acceptance speech in 1992.
I have also stumbled upon a video, Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor whose last lecture became an Internet sensation, did push-ups to prove his fitness despite having pancreatic cancer. Is very touching. Should watch this video. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5703662523236056247
Doing push-up is a test of whole body, engaging muscle groups in the arms, chest, abdomen, hips and legs. It requires the body to be taut like a plank, with toes and palms on the floor. The act of lifting and lowering one's entire weight is taxing - even for the very fit.
According to research, it noted that push-ups are important for older people too. It provide the strength and muscle memory to reach out and break a fall. Regular exercise enlarges muscle fibres and can stave off the decline by increasing the strength of the muscle you have left.
Based on American national averages, here are some benchmark for your exercise :
1) A 40-year-old woman should be able to do 16 push-ups
2) A man of same age : 27 push-ups
3) By the age of 60 - the numbers drop to 6 for woman
4) For man at 60 - the number is 17
A word of encouragement. If the floor-based push-up is too difficult, start by leaning against a countertop at a 45-degree angle and pressing up and down.
Hope you enjoy watching the video,our picture and this article. Drop me a comment to let me know whether any of these has encouraged you to start working on something.
