Emotional Imagery Influences the Adaptive Force in Young Women: Unpleasant Imagery Reduces Instantaneously the Muscular Holding Capacity

The link between emotions and motor function has been known for decades but is still not clarified. The Adaptive Force (AF) describes the neuromuscular capability to adapt to increasing forces and was suggested to be especially vulnerable to interfering inputs. This study investigated the influence of pleasant and unpleasant food imagery on the manually assessed AF of elbow and hip flexors objectified by a handheld device in 12 healthy women. The maximal isometric AF was significantly reduced during unpleasant vs. pleasant imagery and baseline (p < 0.001, d(z) = 0.98-1.61). During unpleasant imagery, muscle lengthening started at 59.00 +/- 22.50% of maximal AF, in contrast to baseline and pleasant imagery, during which the isometric position could be maintained mostly during the entire force increase up to similar to 97.90 +/- 5.00% of maximal AF. Healthy participants showed an immediately impaired holding function triggered by unpleasant imagery, presumably related to negative emotions. Hence, AF seems to be suitable to test instantaneously the effect of emotions on motor function. Since musculoskeletal complaints can result from muscular instability, the findings provide insights into the understanding of the causal chain of linked musculoskeletal pain and mental stress. A case example (current stress vs. positive imagery) suggests that the approach presented in this study might have future implications for psychomotor diagnostics and therapeutics.

Automated summary

The link between emotions and motor function is still unclear. This study found that unpleasant imagery significantly reduced the neuromuscular capability to adapt to increasing forces, potentially related to negative emotions. These findings provide insights into the understanding of the causal chain of linked musculoskeletal pain and mental stress.