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.