Research article - (2026)25, 665 - 674
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2026.665
Muscle Synergy Reorganization and Force–Time Differences Across Upper-Limb Pushing Tasks with Different Mechanical Characteristics
Penglei Fan1,†,, Mengzhao Han1,†, Ting Wang2, Guihua Huang1, Xiaoshuai Wang1, Ming Li1,
1College of Education and Sports Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
2Institute of Student Physical Health Promotion, Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen, Hubei, China
† These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.
‡ These authors contributed equally to this work

Penglei Fan
College of Education and Sports Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
Email: fanpenglei@yangtzeu.edu.cn

Ming Li
College of Education and Sports Sciences, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei, China
Email: lming@yangtzeu.edu.cn
Received: 27-03-2026 -- Accepted: 03-07-2026
Published (online): 01-09-2026
Narrated in English

ABSTRACT

This study compared the neuromuscular control strategies and force-time profiles of three upper-limb pushing tasks-the standard push-up (SP), plyometric push-up (PP), and standard squat push-up (SSP)-representing the endurance-, power-, and strength-oriented continuum of upper-limb pushing performance. Fifteen male rugby athletes performed SP, PP, and SSP on dual force plates while surface electromyography (EMG) (12 muscles) and vertical forces were concurrently recorded. EMG signals were processed and decomposed using nonnegative matrix factorization to extract muscle synergies. Synergy modules were evaluated using cosine similarity and paired-samples t tests. One-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM1D) was employed to compare synergy primitives and force-time profiles across tasks. Two synergies reconstructed all tasks (VAF > 0.95). Synergy modules differed among conditions (cosine similarity < 0.90), with task-specific changes mainly involving distal forearm, scapular-trunk, and elbow-extensor muscle weightings. SPM1D identified task-specific differences in synergy primitive 1 during 0%-12% and 48% - 71%, and in primitive 2 during 71% - 100%, with PP and SSP exhibiting higher late-phase activation. PP generated higher force than SP during 13% - 79%, while SSP produced higher force during 33% - 36% and 56% - 83%, but lower force early and near takeoff. Despite sharing two synergies, the three pushing tasks exhibited distinct synergy structures, activation timing, and force-time profiles. PP emphasized rapid early-to-mid phase propulsion, whereas SSP relied on sustained late-phase force. These findings demonstrate task-specific neuromechanical regulation and may help inform exercise selection for upper-limb strength and power development in trained athletic populations.

Key words: Electromyography, explosive movements, neuromuscular coordination, motor control, time-series analysis

Key Points
  • Although SP, PP, and SSP were all reconstructed by two muscle synergies, their synergy structures and activation timing differed clearly, indicating task-specific reorganization of upper-limb neuromuscular coordination.
  • PP and SSP produced greater concentric force than SP over substantial portions of the movement cycle, but they showed distinct force-generation strategies: PP emphasized rapid early-to-mid phase propulsion, whereas SSP relied more on sustained late-phase force output.
  • These findings demonstrate that similar pushing movements can be achieved through different neuromechanical regulation strategies, which may inform exercise selection for upper-limb strength and explosive power development in trained athletic populations.








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