What is the primary focus of the push-up test in a fitness assessment?

The primary focus of the push-up test in a fitness assessment is on muscular endurance. This test is designed to measure the ability of the upper body muscles, particularly the chest, shoulders, and triceps, to perform repeated contractions over a period of time without significant fatigue.

Performing push-ups requires sustained effort, as the muscles must continue to generate force in order to lift and lower the body repeatedly. The success of this test is not only influenced by the strength of the muscles involved but primarily by their capacity to endure repetitive exertion, which defines muscular endurance.

While muscular strength is also important in the context of push-ups, the primary assessment intent is to evaluate how long one can perform the exercise before fatigue sets in, rather than how much weight they can lift in a single effort. The other options, such as cardiovascular endurance and flexibility, are not relevant to the push-up test, as they focus on different physical capabilities.