The Impact of Real-Time Visual Feedback on Maximal Force Output and Reliability During Isometric MidThigh Pull...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Accurate assessment of maximal force production is crucial for athlete monitoring and training.
• The isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) is a common test for evaluating force capabilities.
• The influence of real-time visual feedback on IMTP performance and reliability requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of real-time visual feedback on force output during IMTP tests.
• To determine how visual feedback affects the measurement reliability of IMTP across different test variations.
• To assess the practical implications of visual feedback for sports science.

Main Methods:

• Twenty resistance-trained men performed single, repeated, and 30-second all-out IMTP tests.
• Participants completed tests under conditions with and without visual feedback across four sessions.
• Peak and mean force outputs were analyzed, with reliability assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation.

Main Results:

• Visual feedback significantly enhanced peak and mean force outputs across all IMTP test variations (effect sizes 0.49–1.13, p < 0.001–0.006).
• Feedback improved test-retest reliability for single and repeated IMTP tests, reducing coefficients of variation and increasing intraclass correlation coefficients.
• Visual feedback did not significantly improve reliability in the 30-second all-out test, potentially due to pacing strategy alterations.

Conclusions:

• Real-time visual feedback is a valuable tool for enhancing both performance and reliability in strength testing protocols like the IMTP.
• The findings suggest that visual feedback can lead to more accurate and consistent force production measurements in applied sports science.
• Consideration of pacing strategies is important when interpreting feedback effects in longer duration tests.