Say my name! I'll push through: The name-cue amplification effect on the impact of verbal encouragement in high-intensity exercise

This study investigated whether verbal encouragement (VE) may become more effective when it includes the athlete's own name. Previous research has shown that one's own name is a uniquely privileged stimulus for the brain, capturing attention and facilitating self-referential processing, yet it remains unclear whether this amplifies the impact of VE. The present study therefore tested whether name-based VE improves effort sustainment during physically demanding tasks, offering insight into how incorporating one's own name may enhance the effectiveness of such messages (i.e., VE). Eighteen collegiate track and field athletes performed eight 20-s maximal isometric handgrip contractions with 10-s rests in a within-participant crossover design comparing generic VE with own-name VE. In the own-name condition, Sets 5-8 incorporated each participant's name, whereas in the generic condition, all sets excluded names. Grip force was recorded and analyzed for mean force, peak force, and fatigue ratio. Although grip force declined across sets in both conditions, own-name VE significantly attenuated performance decline, with higher mean force (Sets 7-8), peak force (Set 8), and fatigue ratio (Set 8) compared to the generic VE condition. These results offer initial evidence for the Name-Cue Amplification Effect, where hearing one's own name, a uniquely potent self-referential cue, amplifies message impact through increased personal relevance and salience.