Scapula in Pushup vs. Bench Press Technique

[u3er]

A question for you anatomy/physiology wizes out there.  I know that scapula function has been discussed to death, but here it goes anyways...!

 

I noticed in F1 that coach's athletes maintain FULL protraction throughout the entire ROM in all the horizontal pushing elements (something that has been kicking my butt as I progress along!).  From an efficiency point of view, always maintaining such protraction seems so much more taxing.

 

In weightlifting, things are a little different such that the recommendation is to set your shoulder in its socket (retract) and create torque by externally rotating.  Using these cues, you'll be quick to increase your bench press.  This is how the 500lb+ lifters do it.

 

So what is so different about gymnastics pushing and bench pressing that requires such different approaches in regards to scapula positioning?  I couldn't imagine a weightlifter bench pressing 500lb while maintaining full scapula protraction throughout the entire lift, so why would a gymnast hold protraction in a planche (or any other push) given that this would make the hold even harder?  Surely there must be a good reason, so please enlighten me!

 

Thanks in advance

[Joshua Naterman]

Bench and planche require different spinal shapes and different scapular actions.

 

In bench press, you have gravity and that 500 lbs pressing your scaps down into the bench, which is solid.

 

In planche, you have gravity trying to pull you into the ground through the shoulder blades. No bench to stabilize your scaps, no feet to stabilize your body, just your two hands (and shoulder girdle, and the rest of your body) vs. gravity. In a mechanically disadvantaged position.

 

If you want more detail, use the search function. This subject has been talked to death.

[Brian Li]

Protraction in planche makes the hold easier. That's one of the reasons why protraction is very important for planche and why most people with retracted scaps in planche usually fail.

 

Retracting a bit in the negative of a push-up is natural and not bad. I think full protraction throughout the entire push-up is ok too, but I think most people prefer the more natural scapula movement of protracting in the concentric and retracting in the eccentric and I remember Coach supporting the latter too.

[seiyafan]

Not to mention in bench press retraction can shorten the distance one has to when lowering the bar to the sternum. 

[u3er]

All great answers - thanks everyone