The self‐efficacy‐performance link in maximum strength performance

To examine whether manipulating self‐efficacy affects strength performance on a bench press, and to see if these situation‐specific changes would affect levels of physical self‐efficacy, 24 undergraduates untrained in weightlifting were randomly assigned to three groups: ‘light’, who lifted less weight than they believed; ‘heavy’, who lifted more weight than they believed; and control, for whom there was no manipulation. Self‐efficacy measures were taken before and after the manipulation. Physical self‐efficacy was measured using the Physical Self‐Efficacy Scale (PSE). ‘Light’ subjects lifted significantly greater increases in weight than the other subjects. ‘Heavy’ subjects significantly decreased self‐efficacy following the manipulation. Initial self‐efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of baseline maximum, while manipulated self‐efficacy was significant for performance change. The PSE scores did not change pre‐ to post‐study. The results suggest that self‐efficacy is a situation‐specific construct which can be manipulated, and which relates to both past performance experience and future performance.

Keywords:

• Self‐efficacy
• strength
• physical performance
• self‐confidence

Notes

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