Scientists have since found that there is a relationship between the psychological state and the degree of muscular training he or she can endure. Various training techniques can be used in combination with some ergogenic methods or neuromuscular coordination to attain the maximum muscular strength that an individual can achieve. There are various ergogenic techniques that can be used to inhibit or stimulate the mind of the trainee, where the main aim is to enhance an individual’s psychological processes as he or she undergoes the training. These measures also help to increase mental strength during the training session. It is argued that hypnosis can play a crucial role in this process because it can effectively eliminate factors that may hinder one’s psychological ability during such strenuous exercises.
According to a research study conducted by Mazini Filho et al. (2018) to examine how hypnosis influences muscular strength development, it was found that hypnotic induction can lead to maximal strength improvement. Moreover, the researchers also noticed that this intervention can promote higher Number of Repetitive maximums (NRM), which refers to the maximum weight a trainee can lift in one repetition. The increase in the strength of an individual’s muscles during a hypnotic intervention is due to the accumulation of motor units and elements that induce neural control in the muscles. It is believed that hypnosis works by increasing the accumulation of these motor units in the muscle fiber, hence the increase in muscle strength during hypnotic Induction. Moreover, the intervention also works by inhibiting the activation of muscle components that hinder strength development. The mechanism behind strength gain through hypnotic induction is similar to that of strength gain through the enhancement of neural components. The researchers also postulate that this process of strength development may be the result of reduced autogenic inhibition, which decreases the influence of inhibitory factors of the neuromuscular system.
In another study conducted by Hamid, Abdoli & Shahroie (2018) to evaluate how cognitive behavioral therapy administered in conjunction with success imagination during hypnosis can influence the performance of athletes, it was noticed that those who were taken through the therapy had a significant improvement in their performance as opposed to those who did not receive the intervention. The experimental group recorded increased performance than participants in the pre-test and control groups. The researchers argue that training athletes on the cognitive behavioral techniques and positive imagination leads to an increased performance in athletics. The training items that were used in this study include fixed pass, shooting, and on the move pass. The positive results of the intervention were reflected in the trainees’ high scores on these factors.
The researchers argue that many athletes can perform even better than their current level of performance, only that some have allowed limiting thoughts to dwell in their minds. Sometimes athletes get anxious when faced with different activities where their performance or skills are needed. The study revealed that positive imagination and muscle relaxation leads to reduced anxiety levels. Hypnosis was found to be an effective tool that fosters positive imagination and individual focus during performances.
Thus, the above researches confirm that hypnosis is an effective intervention therapy that can be used successfully to improve sports performance. Muscle strength is one of the factors that enhance performance in endurance activities, so there is need to enhance it for improved performance. The use of hypnotic induction in physical training is necessary because of its influence in muscle development and strength acquisition. Moreover, it has also been confirmed that hypnosis can also lead to improved performance, for it can be used to reduce anxiety levels and boost one’s focus during a sporting activity.
References
Hamid, N., Abdoli, R., & Shahroie, A. (2018). Efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Positive Imagination of Success During Hypnotism on Athletic Performance. Hormozgan Medical Journal, 22(4).
Mazini Filho, M. L., Savoia, R. P., de Castro, J. B. P., Moreira, O. C., de Oliveira Venturini, G. R., Curty, V. M., … & Ferreira, C. (2018). Effects of Hypnotic Induction on Muscular Strength in Men with Experience in Resistance Training. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 21(1), 52-62.
Melvin S. Marsh is a certified hypnotherapist serving Atlanta GA, Aiken SC, Augusta GA, and Blairsville GA. He performs hypnotherapy appointments both in person and worldwide virtually. He can be reached at www.afterhourshypnotherapy.com .
