From strength to strength

Is there a relationship between upper and
lower body strength?

Prediction

Can people who can do more press-ups also do more squats? Make a prediction.

Measuring standing and sitting height.

Obtaining the evidence

1Using a stadiometer or tape measure, record your sitting and standing height.

2Work in pairs or small groups. One or more students in the group should do press-ups. For each person exercising, you will need to have someone counting the repetitions and timekeeping.

Upper body activity – press-ups

3The exerciser does the press-ups for 1 minute and completes as many repetitions as they can. The time-keeper times the 1-minute period and counts the number of repetitions completed.

Straight-leg position press-up

Straight-leg position press-up.

aThe exerciser lies on the ground with their hands by their shoulders.

bTheir toes should be touching the ground.

cThey should push up from the ground with their arms so that the arms are straight.

dThe press-up is then performed by lowering the body until the elbows are at
90 degrees and then extending the arms. This counts as one press-up.

Bent leg position press-up – this should only be used where one straight leg press-up cannot be performed

aPractise the press-up technique. You should be on all fours with your knees bent and your arms shoulder-width apart. Bend your elbows to bring your head towards the ground.

bPush up on your hands and straighten your elbows to push yourself up from the ground – this counts as one press-up.

START / FINISH

Bent-leg position press-up.

4The time-keeper starts the stopclock and the exerciser repeats the press-ups as quickly as possible but at a steady rate.

5The time-keeper must check that the person doing the press-ups is doing it properly, including keeping their back straight as they move towards the floor. The movement must be continuous with no rest during the single press-up. However, students may need to rest for a few seconds before starting the next press-up. The repetition can only be counted if the movement is done exactly as shown.

6The time-keeper must count the number of repetitions completed in 1 minute.

7Swap over, so that the time-keeper now does the press-ups and the exerciser records the time and number of repetitions.

Lower body activity – squats

8The exerciser does squats for 1 minute and does as many repetitions as they can. If it has not been 5 minutes since you carried out the press-ups then you must wait to start the squats. During this time list sports which require good upper body strength and which need good lower body strength. The time-keeper times the 1-minute period and counts the number of squats completed.

Squats.

aPractise the squat technique. Your back should be straight, stomach pulled in and feet hip-width apart with toes facing forwards and your arms out straight in front of you.

bBend your knees, pushing your bottom backwards and away as if you were going to sit down and keeping your feet flat on the ground.

cMake sure your knees bend to 90 degrees but no further.

dStraighten your knees and bring your bottom and hips forwards so that you are in a standing position.

eStart the stopclock and repeat the squatting process as quickly as you can but at a steady rate.

fThe time-keeper must check that the exerciser is doing the squat properly as shown in the diagram. The repetition can only be counted if the full range of movement for the squat is done. The time-keeper must count the number of repetitions completed in 1 minute.

Presenting the results

My standing height is My sitting height is

Activity / Number of repetitions (in 60 seconds)
Upper body activity, press-ups
Lower body activity, squats