In the context of an overhead press, what does cueing a client to push the dumbbell closer to the ceiling promote?

When cueing a client to push the dumbbell closer to the ceiling during an overhead press, this promotes an external focus. An external focus involves directing the client’s attention towards the effects of their movements in the environment—namely, the ceiling in this case—rather than concentrating on their body movements or joint actions.

Using cues that promote external focus has been shown to enhance performance and movement efficiency, as it allows clients to engage more naturally in the movement without overthinking their muscle contractions or joint positions. This type of focus tends to lead to better overall coordination and execution of the exercise, as the individual is able to optimize their motor skills by aligning their intention with the outcome of the action, which is to elevate the weight.

In contrast, internal focus would involve directing attention to the body's movements or muscle engagement, which can sometimes result in less effective performance during dynamic movements like the overhead press. Muscle isolation and joint locking are concepts related to controlling specific body parts or limiting movement, which are not the primary goals when performing an overhead press with an emphasis on maximizing upward force through external focus.