Instruction during lifting: How analogy and explicit instruction influence performance and motor control

Results revealed significant alterations in lower limb EMG activity following both instructional strategies (p < 0.05), indicating a reorganization of motor control. Moreover, the EXP group exhibited significantly lower rate of force development within the first 200 ms compared to the control (p < 0.05). Overall force output was also higher in the control group. These findings suggest that avoiding verbal instruction may benefit maximal force production. However, analogy instructions appear to maintain performance levels while altering neuromuscular strategies. Clinical trial register number ANZCTR (code: 386738).