| LEFT-HAND DYNAMIC HANDGRIP AS AN EMBODIED INTERVENTION TO ENHANCE MOTOR PERFORMANCE UNDER CHOKE PRESSURE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW |
| Paper ID : 1560-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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hossein khodabandelo *1, Farhad Ghadiri2 1Department of motor behavior, Faculty of physical education and Sports science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran 2Tehran Mirdamad Shahid Keshvari Stadium |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: High-pressure situations are unavoidable in life, occurring across education, work, and especially sports. Choking under pressure significantly impairs athletic performance when expectations peak, causing performance decrements due to increased anxiety during critical moments. Two theoretical perspectives explain this phenomenon: the “turning away” hypothesis attributes it to distraction, while the “turning toward” hypothesis suggests it results from altered attentional focus and inward movement control [2]. Left-hand dynamic gripping (LDH) has emerged as a potential intervention to mitigate choking effects by creating hemispheric priming that activates the right hemisphere associated with automated motor control while suppressing the left hemisphere’s conscious control mechanisms [1]. Methods: This narrative review examined literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using terms including “pressure choking,” “left-hand dynamic handgrip,” “hemispheric priming,” “motor function,” and “anxiety regulation.” Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies (2010-2025) focusing on hemispheric activation interventions in sport contexts. Articles were thematically grouped by attentional control mechanisms and neurophysiological preparation techniques including LDH. Conceptual synthesis emphasized cross-study patterns rather than quantitative meta-analysis. Results: Left-hand dynamic gripping (LDH) effectively reduces choking under pressure in fine motor sports like golf, basketball, and tennis. By contracting the left hand for 30–45 seconds, LDH activates the right hemisphere linked to automatic motor control, suppressing overactive, analytic left-hemisphere processes—thereby maintaining accuracy and preventing performance decline during high-pressure situations. Conclusion: LDH represents a practical, evidence-based intervention for athletes experiencing choking under pressure [4]. The technique works through hemispheric priming mechanisms that optimize neural processing during high-stakes performance by promoting right-hemisphere activity associated with automated control [3]. Future research should examine individual differences in LDH responsiveness and establish optimal protocols for different sports contexts. Coaches and athletes should consider incorporating LDH into pre-performance routines, particularly in sports requiring precise motor execution under pressure. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Choking under pressure, left-hand dynamic handgrip, Hemispheric priming, Motor performance |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
