Immediate and sustained effects of left-hand dynamic handgrip on choking in men's basketball free-throw performance

Abstract

The present study investigated the immediate and sustained effects of left-hand dynamic handgrip (LDH; left-hand squeezing) on reducing choking (anxiety-induced performance decrements) in basketball free-throw performance. Previous research affirmed LDH's efficacy in mitigating choking in various sports, however, its duration of effectiveness remains elusive. This study examined whether: a) participants who conducted LDH exhibited lower performance decrements than a control group under high-pressure conditions, and b) the effects were stable over time. Twenty experienced right-handed male participants (M_age = 23.10) attempted 20 free-throws in each pre-test (baseline low-pressure) and post-tests (High Pressure-1; High Pressure-2). Participants were randomly assigned to the left-hand or right-hand/control group and performed corresponding hand contractions preceding High Pressure-1. State anxiety, assessed through the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, was induced from Low-Pressure (M_cognitive = 15.75; M_somatic = 14.90) to High Pressure-1 (M_cognitive = 20.75; M_somatic = 18.75). Post hoc analyses indicated that the left-hand group maintained performance throughout all phases. However, the control group experienced performance decrements in High Pressure-1 and this remained consistent in High Pressure-2. Results supported both hypotheses, illustrating LDH's effectiveness in countering choking for a minimum duration of 15 minutes. This novel study offers insight into LDH's duration of effectiveness, facilitating wider integration into competitive sports.