The Effects of Psyching-Up on Deadlift Performance in Competitive Strongmen, Strongwomen, and Powerlifters

Cusimano, K, Moran, DJ, Tod, DD, and Freeman, DP. The effects of psyching-up on deadlift performance in competitive strongmen, strongwomen, and powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 40(5): 576-584, 2026-This study investigated the effect of the act of "psyching-up" on deadlift performance in experienced strength athletes and examined whether individual differences in anxiety sensitivity, reward sensitivity, and trait aggression influence strategy selection. A total of 200 competitive strength athletes completed the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Likert scale and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Subjects then performed a deadlift under 2 conditions: a free-choice psyching-up intervention and a passive control. Barbell velocity was measured using a GymAware RS linear position transducer. Results showed that deadlift velocity was significantly greater during the psyching-up condition ( M = 0.39 m·s -1 , SD = 0.11) compared with the control ( M = 0.34 m·s -1 , SD = 0.10), representing an 18.58% increase in performance ( p < 0.001). This improvement in bar speed corresponds to an estimated 4.3% increase in predicted 1-repetition maximum. A one-way ANOVA found no significant differences in performance across the 8 psyching-up strategies ( p = 0.16). However, discriminant analysis revealed that higher reward sensitivity, greater trait aggression, and lower anxiety sensitivity significantly predicted the selection of "arousal-enhancing" strategies ( p = 0.002). These findings indicate that psyching-up can support deadlift performance in strength athletes and that personality traits may influence their choice of strategy. While no single strategy was found to be more effective than others, the data suggest that athletes tend to select strategies that reflect their individual personality traits. This study also presents a discriminant function that may help practitioners and coaches recommend appropriate psyching-up approaches based on an athlete's personality profile, contributing to more effective and individualized psychological preparation in strength sports.