Abstract
The effects of different feedback conditions on the elbow flexors maximal voluntary isometric (MVIC) force were examined. In a single visit, twenty participants (10 males) were exposed to four conditions including, Visual only; (i.e., knowledge of results [VI]); Verbal encouragement (i.e., verbally stating pull, pull [VE]); VI and VE (VIVE); and no VI or VE (NOVIVE). Three, 5-s MVIC trials were completed for each condition. Separate 2 × 4 (sex × condition) repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine MVIC force, rate of force development (RFD200), and rate of electromyography (EMG) rise (RER200) for the 0–200-ms window. There was a significant main condition effect for MVIC force (p < 0.001). Significantly greater MVIC force was shown for VIVE compared to VE (p < 0.001) and NOVIVE (p = 0.002) conditions, and VI compared to VE (p = 0.011) and NOVIVE (p = 0.009) conditions. A significant sex × condition interaction (p = 0.036) was observed for RFD200, with significantly (p = 0.003) greater RFD200 in males compared to females, in the VI condition only. There were no significant differences in RFD200 among condition for males (p = 0.033) or females (p = 0.194). There was a significant main effect for sex (p = 0.006) for RER200, with significantly greater (p = 0.003) RER200 (conditions merged) in males (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 422.99 ± 124.67%), compared to females (220.68 ± 134.01%). Here we suggest the importance of providing VI feedback alone, or in conjunction with VE, for the measurement of elbow flexion MVIC. Additionally, these results provide a foundational framework for future studies aiming to improve feedback modalities during training or rehabilitation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
All data and materials, as well as, software application support our published claims and comply with field standards.
References
Aagaard, P., Simonsen, E. B., Andersen, J. L., Magnusson, P., & Dyhre-Poulsen, P. (2002). Increased rate of force development and neural drive of human skeletal muscle following resistance training. Journal of Applied Physiology, 93(4), 1318–1326. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00283.2002.
Amagliani, R. M., Peterella, J. K., & Jung, A. P. (2010). Original research. International Journal of Exercise Science, 3(4), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000435373.80608.40.
Andersen, L. L., & Aagaard, P. (2006). Influence of maximal muscle strength and intrinsic muscle contractile properties on contractile rate of force development. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 96(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0070-z.
Arps, G. F. (1917). A preliminary report on “work with knowledge versus work without knowledge of results. Psychological Review, 24(6), 449–455. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0071018.
Basmajian, J. V. (1979). Biofeedback: Principles and practice for clinicians. Williams & Wilkins.
Bell, D. G., & Jacobs, I. (1986). Electro-mechanical response times and rate of force development in males and females. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 18(1), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1249/00005768-198602000-00007.
Berger, R. A. (1967). Effects of knowledge of isometric strength during performance on recorded strength. Research Quarterly of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 38(3), 507. https://doi.org/10.1080/10671188.1967.10613422.
Bishop, D. (2003). Warm up II: Performance changes following active warm up and how to structure the warm up. Sports Medicine, 33(7), 483–498.
Campenella, B., Mattacola, C. G., & Kimura, I. F. (2000). Effect of visual feedback and verbal encouragement on concentric quadriceps and hamstrings peak torque of males and females. Isokinetics and Exercise Science, 8(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.3233/ies-2000-0033.
Christ, C. B., Boileau, R. A., Slaughter, M. H., Stillman, R. J., & Cameron, J. (1993). The effect of test protocol instructions on the measurement of muscle function in adult women. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 18(3), 502–510. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1993.18.3.502.
Christie, A., & Kamen, G. (2010). Short-term training adaptations in maximal motor unit firing rates and afterhyperpolarization duration. Muscle and Nerve, 41(5), 651–660. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.21539.
Cohen, J. (1973). Eta-squared and partial eta-squared in fixed factor anova designs. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 33(1), 107–112. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447303300111.
Croce, R. V. (1986). The effects of EMG biofeedback on strength acquisition. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 11(4), 299–310.
Folland, J. P., Buckthorpe, M. W., & Hannah, R. (2014). Human capacity for explosive force production: Neural and contractile determinants. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 24(6), 894–906. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12131.
Gandevia, S. C. (2001). Spinal and supraspinal factors in human muscle fatigue. Physiological Reviews, 81(4), 1725–1789. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.2001.81.4.1725.
Granacher, U., Gruber, M., & Gollhofer, A. (2009). Resistance training and neuromuscular performance in seniors. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(9), 652–657. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1224178.
Hald, R. D., & Bottjen, E. J. (1987). Effect of visual feedback on maximal and submaximal isokinetic test measurements of normal quadriceps and hamstrings. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 9(2), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1987.9.2.86.
Hermens, H. J., Freriks, B., Merletti, R., Stegeman, D., Blok, J., Rau, G., et al. (1999). European recommendations for surface electromyography results of the SENIAM project. Roessingh Research and Development, 8(2), 13–54.
Hunter, S. K., & Enoka, R. M. (2001). Sex differences in the fatigability of arm muscles depends on absolute force during isometric contractions. Journal of Applied Physiology, 91(6), 2686–2694. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.2001.91.6.2686.
Ikai, M., & Fukunaga, T. (1968). Calculation of muscle strength per unit cross-sectional area of human muscle by means of ultrasonic measurement. Internationale Zeitschrift Für Angewandte Physiologie Einschließlich Arbeitsphysiologie, 26(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696087.
Inglis, J. G., Vandenboom, R., & Gabriel, D. A. (2013). Sex-related differences in maximal rate of isometric torque development. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 23(6), 1289–1294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.09.005.
Jaafar, H., & Lajili, H. (2018). The influence of verbal instruction on measurement reliability and explosive neuromuscular performance of the knee extensors. Journal of Human Kinetics, 65(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2018-0031.
Jeon, S., Miller, W. M., Kang, M., & Ye, X. (2019). The minimum number of attempts for a reliable isometric strength test score. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-019-00035-3
Johansson, C. A., Kent, B. E., & Shepard, K. F. (1983). Relationship between verbal command volume and magnitude of muscle contraction. Physical Therapy, 63(8), 1260–1265. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/63.8.1260.
Jung, M. C., & Hallbeck, M. S. (2004). Quantification of the effects of instruction type, verbal encouragement, and visual feedback on static and peak handgrip strength. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 34(5), 367–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2004.03.008.
Kimura, I. F., Gulick, D. T., & Lukasiewicz, W. C. (1998). Effect of visual feedback and verbal encouragement on eccentric quadriceps and hamstrings peak torque. Sports Medicine, Training and Rehabilitation, 9(1), 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438629909512545.
Kondo, K., Noonan, K. M., Freeman, M., Ayers, C., Morasco, B. J., & Kansagara, D. (2019). Efficacy of biofeedback for medical conditions: An evidence map. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(12), 2883–2893. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05215-z
Lucca, J. A., & Recchiuti, S. J. (1983). Effect of electromyographic feedback on an isometric strengthening program. Physical Therapy, 63(2), 200–203. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/63.2.200.
Maffiuletti, N. A., Aagaard, P., Blazevich, A. J., Folland, J., Tillin, N., & Duchateau, J. (2016). Rate of force development: Physiological and methodological considerations. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 116(6), 1091–1116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6.
Magill, R. A., & Anderson, D. (2017). Motor learning and control: Concepts and applications (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Marchant, D. C. (2011). Attentional focusing instructions and force production. Frontiers in Psychology, 1(JAN), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00210.
Marchant, D. C., Greig, M., & Scott, C. (2009). Attentional focusing instructions influence force production and muscular activity during isokinetic elbow flexoions. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 8(23), 2358–2366.
Marcora, S. M., Staiano, W., & Manning, V. (2009). Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106(3), 857–864. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.91324.2008.
Martin, A., Carpentier, A., Guissard, N., van Hoecke, J., & Duchateau, J. (1999). Effect of time of day on force variation in a human muscle. Muscle & Nerve, 22(10), 1380–1387.
McNair, P. J., Depledge, J., Brettkelly, M., & Stanley, S. N. (1996). Verbal encouragement: Effects on maximum effort voluntary muscle action. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(3), 243–245. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.30.3.243.
Miller. (1974). Biofeedback: Evaluation of a new technique. The New England Journal of Medicine, 290, 684–685.
Miller, A. E. J., MacDougall, J. D., Tarnopolsky, M. A., & Sale, D. G. (1993). Gender differences in strength and muscle fiber characteristics. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 66(3), 254–262. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235103.
Peacock, B., Westers, T., Walsh, S., & Nicholson, K. (1981). Feedback and maximum voluntary contraction. Ergonomics, 24(3), 1981. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140138108559236
Pierson, W. R., & Rasch, P. J. (1964). Effect of knowledge of results on isometric strength scores. Research Quarterly, 35(3), 313–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/10671188.1964.10613315.
Quattrocchi, G., Greenwood, R., Rothwell, J. C., Galea, J. M., & Bestmann, S. (2017). Reward and punishment enhance motor adaptation in stroke. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 88(9), 730–736. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2016-314728.
Stock, M. S., Beck, T. W., & Defreitas, J. M. (2013). Peak torque and electromyographic responses during fatiguing concentric muscle actions with eyes-open versus eyes-closed. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 116(2), 581–597. https://doi.org/10.2466/29.26.PMS.116.2.581-597.
Toumi, A., Jakobi, J. M., & Simoneau-Buessinger, E. (2010). Differential impact of visual feedback on plantar- and dorsi-flexion maximal torque output. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 41(5), 557–559.
Van-Cutsem, M., Duchateau, J., & Hainaut, K. (1998). Changes in single motor unit behaviour contribute to the increase in contraction speed after dynamic training in humans. Journal of Physiology, 513(1), 295–305. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7793.1998.295by.x.
van Dijk, H., Jannink, M. J. A., & Hermens, H. J. (2005). Effect of augmented feedback on motor function of the affected upper extremity in rehabilitation patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 37(4), 202–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/16501970510030165.
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. Jason Defreitas (Oklahoma State University) for assistant in producing figures. We thank all participants who completed the study. We thank the anonymous referees for their useful suggestions.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific Grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
WMM, SJ, MK, JSS, and XY, contributed to the design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data; WMM, SJ, MK, JSS, and XY, contributed to the draft of the work and revised it critically for important intellectual content; WMM, SJ, MK, JSS, and XY, approved the version to be published; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that the questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest for the completion of this project and manuscript.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Miller, W., Jeon, S., Kang, M. et al. Does Performance-Related Information Augment the Maximal Isometric Force in the Elbow Flexors?. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 46, 91–101 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-020-09492-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-020-09492-x