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

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 BIS/BAS Likert scale and the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Subjects then performed a deadlift under two 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, SD = 0.11) compared to the control (M = 0.34 m/s, SD = 0.10), representing an 18.58% increase in performance (p < .001). This improvement in bar speed corresponds to an estimated 4.3% increase in predicted one-repetition maximum. A one-way ANOVA found no significant differences in performance across the eight psyching-up strategies (p = .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 = .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 suggests 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.