The Effects of Instruction, Verbal Encouragement, and Visual Feedback on Static Handgrip Strength

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of instruction, verbal encouragement, and real-time visual feedback on static handgrip strength. Sixteen subjects participated in this study and a computerized wrist dynamometer was used for the measurement of grip strength. The independent variables were five different instructions including the Caldwell Regimen, use of verbal encouragement and visual feedback. According to the results of ANOVA, there were significant differences in main effects. Therefore, the employment of verbal encouragement or visual feedback should be noted in any paper if used while measuring static strength. Since the comparison between peak forces showed that fast contraction and immediate release upon maximal contraction instruction had greater peak forces than all other instruction sets, it can be suggested for the standard of peak force measurement that the static strength should be reached within 1.5 seconds and immediately released when reaching the maximum force and the greatest force can be designated as the peak force.