A comparison between the effect of mental practice and isometric exercise on increasing maximal isometric grip muscle strength

Introduction: It is for many years that researchers are searching to find a way to treat muscular disorders including weakness and atrophy, which are consequences of the lack of movement. Therefore, clinicians are always waiting for a way to prevent these weakness and atrophy, especially when active movements are forbidden. In addition, there has always been a question whether muscle performance can be improved without performing any joint movements or muscle contractions. Studies have shown that mental practice can be a good answer for it. However, this effective, negligible risk and low cost method are not used by therapists. The present study was performed to compare the effects of mental practice and maximal Isometric exercise on increasing grip muscle strength. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 37 young healthy female (18-25years old) who randomly divided into mental practice, Isometric exercise and control group. The mental practice group performed imagined maximal isometric contraction of grip muscle for 3 weeks and the isometric exercise group performed maximal isometric contraction of some muscles, while the control group didn’t perform any imagined or physical practice at the same period of time. The amount of maximal grip strength was determined by hydraulic hand dynamometer before and after training. Data analysis was carried out using paired t-tse. Results: Performing mental practice and maximal isometric contraction produced a significant increase in isometric strength of grip muscles (p=0.000). While the control group didn’t show any significant changes (p = 0.453). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the mental practice and the isometric contraction group. Conclusion: It is suggested that therapists combine this new method with the other common methods in their rehabilitation programs.