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Maximal strength and cortisol responses to psyching-up during the squat exercise
Michael R McGuigan1, Jamie Ghiagiarelli, David Tod
1School of Biomedical and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia. m.mcguigan@ecu.edu.au
Journal of Sports Sciences
|October 1, 2005
Summary
Psyching-up did not enhance one-repetition maximum (1-RM) squat performance in strength-trained individuals. Salivary cortisol levels increased similarly regardless of the mental strategy used during the squat exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Psychology
Background:
- Psychological strategies like 'psyching-up' are commonly used to enhance athletic performance.
- The physiological effects of these strategies, particularly on hormonal responses like cortisol, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a 'psyching-up' intervention on one-repetition maximum (1-RM) performance in the squat exercise.
- To examine the associated changes in salivary cortisol concentrations during maximal effort squatting.
Main Methods:
- Ten men and ten women with significant weight training experience participated.
- Participants completed 1-RM squat tests under two counterbalanced conditions: 'psyching-up' and cognitive distraction.
- Saliva samples were collected pre- and post-exercise to measure cortisol levels.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in 1-RM squat performance was observed between the 'psyching-up' and cognitive distraction conditions.
- Performing a 1-RM squat significantly increased salivary cortisol concentrations in both conditions.
- There were no significant differences in salivary cortisol responses between the two mental strategies.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that 'psyching-up' does not provide a performance advantage for 1-RM squat strength in trained individuals.
- Mental strategies did not differentially affect the acute cortisol response to maximal effort exercise.
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