Push-Ups (1-Min, Cooper)

The 1-minute push-up test measures upper body muscular endurance by counting the maximum number of push-ups completed in 60 seconds. Data are from Physical Fitness Assessments and Norms for Adults and Law Enforcement (Cooper Institute, Dallas TX), part of the six-test Cooper law enforcement fitness battery. Because the source population is law enforcement candidates (likely fitter than the general public), these norms may be higher than population-wide averages. Note: this source is an institutional monograph (not a peer-reviewed journal article) and sample sizes are not publicly disclosed. Female norms are only available up to age 49; the 50+ brackets were not included in the published tables. This test differs from the standard push-up test in that it uses a timed 1-minute format rather than maximum repetitions to fatigue.

How to Perform This Test

Equipment

Exercise mat or flat surface
Stopwatch

Steps

Begin in a standard push-up position with hands shoulder-width apart and body in a straight line.
Lower your chest to within 3 inches of the floor.
Push back up to the starting position with arms fully extended.
Repeat as many times as possible within 60 seconds.
Do not rest in the down position; brief rest in the up position is permitted.

Scoring

Count the total number of complete push-ups performed in 60 seconds.

Notes

The Cooper Institute protocol uses standard (full) push-ups for males. Females may use the modified knee push-up position. This timed format differs from the standard push-ups-to-fatigue test.

Data source: Cooper Institute (Law Enforcement) (2007) About this study

Push-Ups (1-Min, Cooper) Norms by Age and Sex (reps)

Age	Sex	Percentile
		5th	25th	50th	75th	95th
20-29	Male	13	24	33	44	62
20-29	Female	6	11	18	27	42
30-39	Male	9	19	27	36	52
30-39	Female	4	9	14	19	39.5
40-49	Male	5	13	21	29	40
40-49	Female	1	7	11	15	20
50-59	Male	3	9.5	15	24	39
50-59	Female	-	-	-	-	-
60+	Male	2	7	15	22	28
60+	Female	-	-	-	-	-

What to expect by age group

Typical range (25th to 75th percentile) by age group (reps)
Age	Males	Females
20-29	24 to 44	11 to 27
30-39	19 to 36	9 to 19
40-49	13 to 29	7 to 15
50-59	9.5 to 24	Not available
60+	7 to 22	Not available

Detailed Breakdowns

Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.

Males

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

Females

20-29 30-39 40-49

Age trend (percentiles)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this differ from the standard push-up test?

The Cooper Institute version counts push-ups completed within 60 seconds, whereas many fitness standards (such as the CSEP-PATH protocol) count maximum push-ups without a time limit. Scores from the two formats are not directly comparable.

Why are these norms higher than other push-up tables I have seen?

The source population is US law enforcement candidates and officers, who are typically more physically fit than the general adult population. These norms should be treated as performance benchmarks for active adults rather than population-representative percentiles.

How reliable is the source data?

The Cooper Institute monograph is the industry standard for law enforcement fitness assessments and is widely cited in peer-reviewed research. However, it is an institutional publication (not a peer-reviewed journal article) and sample sizes are not publicly disclosed.

Why is female data only available up to age 49?

The Cooper Institute tables do not include push-up norms for women aged 50 and above. This likely reflects insufficient sample sizes in older female law enforcement cohorts at the time of publication.

Related Metrics

Cooper Law Enforcement Fitness Battery

This metric is part of the Cooper law enforcement fitness battery, a six-test assessment used by US police departments, the FBI, and military branches.