Plyometric Push-Up Test: Upper Body Power Assessment Protocol

The plyometric push-up test (also known as the clap push-up test or explosive push-up test) is a standardized field test for assessing upper body explosive power. While vertical jump tests dominate lower body power assessment, the plyometric push-up fills an important gap in athletic testing batteries — providing an objective measure of the stretch-shortening cycle and explosive force production capabilities of the chest, shoulders, and triceps.

The test is used in combat sports, gymnastics, American football combine evaluations, military fitness assessments, and team sport testing batteries. Its key advantages are requiring no equipment, being executable anywhere, and providing both qualitative (technique) and quantitative (repetitions, height) data on upper body power. Related: Broad Jump Test: Standing Long Jump Protocol & Norms

Test Definition

The plyometric push-up test involves performing a maximal-effort explosive push-up where the hands leave the ground at the top of the movement. There are two primary scoring formats:

• Maximum reps format: Count the number of plyometric push-ups (with full hand clearance) completed in a set time (usually 15 or 30 seconds)
• Maximum height format: Measure the height the hands achieve above the ground on a single maximal-effort plyometric push-up

What It Measures

The plyometric push-up tests the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) of the upper body push musculature. The descending phase loads the pectoral muscles and triceps eccentrically; the subsequent explosive concentric phase must generate enough force to overcome bodyweight and propel the hands off the ground. This SSC utilization is the same mechanism that underlies punching force in combat sports, throwing velocity, and blocking power in American football.

Comparison with Lower Body Power Tests

The plyometric push-up correlates moderately with medicine ball chest throw distance (r = 0.65-0.72), suggesting it measures a related but distinct quality. Unlike the medicine ball throw, which allows the full body to contribute, the plyometric push-up isolates the upper body push pattern more specifically. See also: Countermovement Jump (CMJ): Technique, Measurement & Norms

Setup

• Flat, firm surface (gym floor preferred)
• No surface padding that would absorb ground reaction force
• Standard push-up position: hands shoulder-width apart, body in a straight line from head to heels

Warm-Up

Perform 5-8 standard push-ups followed by 3-5 slow plyometric push-ups (not maximal). Allow 2-3 minutes before the test. Learn more: Bench Press Velocity Zones: VBT Targets for Strength & Power Development

For Maximum Reps (15-Second Format)

1. Assume push-up position
2. Descend to touch chest to floor (or defined lower position marker)
3. Explosively push up so that both hands clear the ground simultaneously
4. Land with soft elbows (do not lock out or crash land)
5. Immediately descend into the next repetition
6. Count only repetitions where hands clearly leave the ground
7. Record total valid reps in 15 seconds

For Maximum Height (Single Rep Format)

1. From push-up position, descend under control
2. Explode maximally — attempt to achieve the greatest possible hand clearance
3. Measure: place thin paper or chalk under hands to mark take-off position, measure hand height above mark at peak
4. Alternatively, video the attempt and use frame-by-frame analysis
5. Perform 3 trials, record the best

Validity Criteria

• Both hands must leave the ground simultaneously (no staggered take-off)
• Body maintains a plank position — no hip sag or pike throughout
• Full range of motion on the descent (chest touches floor or defined lower limit)

15-Second Plyometric Push-Up Reps (Males)

• Below Average: < 8 reps
• Average: 8-11 reps
• Above Average: 12-15 reps
• Good: 16-19 reps
• Excellent: 20+ reps

15-Second Plyometric Push-Up Reps (Females)

• Below Average: < 5 reps
• Average: 5-8 reps
• Above Average: 9-12 reps
• Good: 13-16 reps
• Excellent: 17+ reps

Sport-Specific Context

• Combat sports athletes (boxing/MMA): Elite males average 22-28 reps in 15 seconds
• Gymnastics: Male gymnasts average 25-32 reps (with bodyweight control advantages)
• American football (offensive/defensive linemen): 15-20 reps is typical for high-level players

Factors Affecting Performance

• Body mass: Heavier athletes move more mass — norms should be interpreted relative to bodyweight
• Arm length: Longer arms create greater mechanical disadvantage
• Training history: Athletes with plyometric training history outperform strength-only athletes at the same strength level

Using Reps as a Power Proxy

Each valid plyometric push-up rep represents a complete SSC cycle. Higher rep counts in a fixed time indicate either greater peak power output (completing each rep faster), greater power endurance (maintaining output across the duration), or both. For pure power assessment, 5-10 second windows are preferable; the 15-second test captures more of the power-endurance quality.

Qualitative Assessment

Beyond rep count, observe technique quality: Does the athlete maintain a rigid plank? Is the eccentric phase controlled or collapsed? Is landing soft and immediately into the next rep? Technique quality often reveals more about true SSC capability than the rep count — some athletes achieve high rep counts with reduced range of motion (partial reps).

Bilateral vs. Unilateral Analysis

Note whether one hand leaves the ground before the other (bilateral asymmetry). Consistent asymmetry may indicate shoulder strength imbalance and warrants follow-up assessment of unilateral push strength.

Strength Foundation

Upper body explosive power requires a strength base. Target 1.0x bodyweight bench press (males) or 0.7x bodyweight (females) before prioritizing plyometric push-up performance. Build strength with: bench press (4x4-6), weighted push-up (4x8), dips (4x8-10).

Plyometric Push-Up Progressions

1. Incline plyometric push-up: Hands elevated on box (less bodyweight) — build technique with reduced load
2. Standard plyometric push-up with pause: 2-second pause at bottom, then explode — emphasizes SSC by allowing the elastic energy to dissipate, forcing pure concentric power
3. Drop plyo push-up: From push-up position, lift hands off floor simultaneously, "drop" to absorb and immediately explode up
4. Weighted vest plyometric push-up: Add 5-10% bodyweight in a vest to increase overload
5. Medicine ball plyometric push-up: One or both hands on a medicine ball — increases ROM and balance demand

Medicine Ball Throws

Kneeling chest pass, rotational throws, and overhead throws develop complementary upper body power. Include 3x8 medicine ball chest passes (5-6kg) 2x/week as supplementary work. For related guidance, see Medicine Ball Throw Test: Complete Upper Body Power Testing Protocol and Broad Jump Test: Standing Long Jump Protocol & Norms.

Sample 6-Week Program

• Week 1-2: 4x5 incline plyo push-up | 3x8 plyometric push-up (controlled)
• Week 3-4: 5x5 standard plyo push-up (max effort) | 3x8 med ball chest pass
• Week 5-6: 4x8 standard plyo push-up (15-sec test simulation) | 3x5 drop plyo push-up