I saw this two days ago and was proudly able to do 40. I then read a more detailed article and it indicated you had to do 40 to the beat of an 80 bpm metronome without missing the beat more than 3 times. I was too sore to try it yesterday but found an online 80 bpm metronome and was able to do it today. I think my form is still decent. I am 50 so that is not too bad I think.
DS is 16 and also did it. He seemed to do it a bit easier and I think he could have kept going…not me.
Anyone that can do 40 push-ups with proper form and no rests can also bench press more than their body weight. If you can’t bench press at least your body weight, but are counting that many push-ups, you are probably cheating on your form somehow.
I can definitely still press my body weight 
I pressed twice my body weight many, many years ago in high school…but I am nowhere near that now.
I probably haven’t done 40 pushups cumulative in my life. I believe S could but he’s 31 and very fit.
Do handstand pushups count? I did 42 of those in 4 sets yesterday, along with 42 weighted squats and 42 pull-ups . 
I read that a pushup represents lifting about 50-65% of your bodyweight. I’m stll right around 1.5x bodyweight for bench press. Ahh, I miss the old days.
I will likely die of other things and not anything CV related. My heart is in better shape than my lungs or hyperactive allergies, for instance.
As my folks and all my sibs are still alive and pretty healthy, I’d say odds are I will live a pretty long and relatively healthy life.
You really do wonder how funding is generated for these studies.
I’m going to take a gap year and try again. :^o
I guess the good news is very few will live long enough to stress the healthcare system.
I think the article summary should really say that people who exercise regularly, lift weights, are required to be physically fit and active for their jobs - which require passing physical tests to get in the first place, are less likely to have cardiovascular disease. Shocker, truly.
what was more scary to me is Firefighters that cannot do 10 pushups…
I wouldn’t assume firefighters are all fit. The ones I used to see when I lived near a station were not. There were plenty of fat chaps. I am not sure there is a baseline fitness per se for all F’Fs.
Firefighter fitness test is not push-ups or running. It simulates firefighting activities, if I recall that correctly.
for me, a guy who is probably 20 lbs overweight, I can do 30 with no problem, but I always hit a wall somewhere between 30 and 40. Even when I was younger and in shape I hit that wall. Not sure why…
Firefighters are expected to be able to wear their HEAVY full gear and be ready, willing and able to carry people to safety from dangerous situations—burning buildings, near drownings, etc. I’m not sure how often they’re tested on ability to do those things.
That’s correct, but to excel in firefighting activities, one needs a strong core and cardio. It’s a shame that most are only tested before getting hired. I woulda thought that fitness was a continuous test…but silly me.
https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/5-elements-firefighter-workout-program/