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Maximal strength and cortisol responses to psyching-up during the squat exercise |
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| Authors: | Michael R McGuigan Jamie Ghiagiarelli David Tod |
| Institution: | 1. School of Biomedical and Sports Science , Edith Cowan University , Joondalup, WA, Australia;2. Department of Exercise and Sport Science , University of Wisconsin-La Crosse , La Crosse, WI, USA;3. Centre for Sport and Exercise Science , University of Wales Aberystwyth , Aberystwyth, UK |
| Abstract: | We studied the effect of psyching-up on one-repetition maximum (1-RM) performance and salivary cortisol responses during the squat exercise. Ten men (age 21.6?±?1.4 years; mean?±?s) and ten women (age 22.4?±?2.8 years) with weight training experience of 4.5?±?2.0 years participated in this study. One-repetition maximum squats were performed on a Smith machine during each of two different intervention conditions that were counterbalanced and consisted of a free choice psych-up and a cognitive distraction. Saliva samples were obtained at the beginning of each test session and immediately after the final 1-RM attempt. No significant difference in 1-RM was identified between psyching-up (104?±?50?kg) and cognitive distraction (106?±?52?kg). Performing a 1-RM in the squat exercise significantly increased salivary cortisol concentrations during both conditions (P <?0.05). There was no significant difference in salivary cortisol responses between conditions. These results suggest that psyching-up does not increase 1-RM performance during the squat exercise in strength-trained individuals. |
| Keywords: | Mental preparation performance enhancement psychology strength |