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ABSTRACT. Tod, D.A., K.F. Iredale, M.R. McGuigan, D.E.O. Strange, and N. Gill. "Psyching-up" enhances force production during the bench press exercise. J. Strength Cond. Res. 19(3): 599-603. 2005.-We investigated the effect of "psyching-up" on force production during the bench press. Twelve men (mean age ± SD: 27.4 ± 11.2 years) and 8 women (20.9 ± 2.5 years) with strength-training experience performed 5 bench press repetitions on a modified Biodex isokinetic dynamometer during 3 interventions. The interventions were counterbalanced and included a free-choice psych-up, a cognitive distraction, and an attention-placebo. Peak force recorded after psyching-up (mean ± SD: 764 ± 269 N.m) was significantly different from both distraction (703 ± 282 N.m, p = 0.003) and attention-placebo (708 ± 248 N.m, p = 0.01). The mean percentage increase in peak force from distraction to psyching-up was 11.8% (6 to 18%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 8.1% from placebo to psyching-up (3 to 13%, 95% CI). The results of the present study indicate that psyching-up may increase force production during the bench press exercise in participants with at least 1 year strength-training experience.
KEY WORDS, mental preparation, psychology, performance enhancement, strength
INTRODUCTION
Many athletes in strength-based sports, such as powerlifting and weightlifting, "psych-up" immediately prior to performance, both in training and competition. Psyching-up refers to the use of self-directed cognitive strategies designed to enhance physical performance (16). Strategies typically used include preparatory arousal, imagery, attentional focus, and positive self-talk (13). Athletes believe that such strategies will lead to increased performance, and researchers have found that psyching-up may increase dynamic strength (5, 6, 14, 16, 18-20, 22, 23), muscular endurance (3, 10, 21), and power (21).
Not all studies, however, have shown a positive effect (2, 12, 15, 16). The results from these nonsupportive studies cast doubt on the efficacy of the psych-up effect on isometric strength tasks and when participants are required to divide their attention across both a strength movement and a mental preparation procedure. Also, the psych-up effect may be inhibited by fatigue or when a strong learning effect is taking place with the movement.
Researchers have generally used untrained samples when investigating the psych-up effect on dynamic strength. It is not clear whether psyching-up has a beneficial effect for trained individuals (2, 17)....