Self-efficacy and stereotype threat effects on handgrip strength performance in less active people living with HIV

People living with HIV (PLHIV) are not physically active enough. As nonexercisers are perceived as less healthy, less active and less strong, it is likely that PLHIV would be subject to a nonexerciser stereotype threat. We looked to elucidate the effect of the emerging nonexerciser stereotype on handgrip strength performance among less active PLHIV. We also sought to observe the modulating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between stereotype activation and performance.Eighteen PLHIV were recruited to participate in two experimental sessions in which both a stereotypical context and self-efficacy were manipulated. Participants performed a handgrip task comprising a 15-s fatiguing maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) exercise preceded (Pre) and followed (Post) by 5-s MVCs. In each session, (i.e. high and low self-efficacy), four experimental conditions (i.e. Control 1; Control 2; Stereotypical; Self-Efficacy) were performed.A significant performance decrease of the 15-s fatiguing MVC exercise was systematically observed when the nonexerciser stereotype was induced (0.01