What Music Are You Listening To?

Exercise | Fitness

Posted on June 01, 2016 by Jenny Cromack

Music in the gym is a staple across the country, I must admit I’m actually quite boring, I prefer silence when I’m training, I can hear the little voices in my head better…. For many people music is a great strategy to divert attention, or simply motivate them to train harder. But what does research say? Interestingly, some psychologists have been examining this in detail for quite some time, now I’m not going to attempt to provide any rationale for the findings below, it falls so far outside of my knowledge base it might as well be Latin, however the results are extremely interesting.

fitness inspired goals

 

 

  • Hagen et al., (2013) examined the effect of music on 10km cycle time trial performance. In a repeated measures study, no statistical difference was observed, when the group had all the noise cut… music vs no music resulted in no difference in performance. No differences in HR, RPE, blood profiles, or even power output were noted. Bear in mind though that these were extremely well trained amateurs completing >7 hours of training per week.
  • Lima-Silva et al., (2012). Demonstrated that listening to music improved 5km running race performance, however only in the first 1.5km of the race, no further improvement was observed in performance or RPE following the initial 1.5Km. The researchers attributed this to an external focus during the initial 1.5km of the race, distracting the participants from the internal perceived exertion.
  • When we examine tempo of music, it appears that a greater performance improvement can be achieved. Waterhouse et al., (2010) compared 6 different songs of varying tempo on sub maximal 25 minute cycle performance. Interestingly performance was enhanced when participants listened to high tempo music (3.5%) but declined (-9.8%) when listening to slow tempo music.
  • What about volume? Well, Edworthy and Waring., (2006) suggest that the louder the better… within reason, don’t damage your ears.

In conclusion it appears that music can be used to enhance performance, however slow music is out, quiet music is out. Could it be that 80’s rock holds the key to improved performance, give it a try! (Jenny sits shaking her head whilst Chris sits and nods his!!)

So what music are you listening to? Is it the right type and volume to optimise your results?!

References

Edworthy, J. and Waring, H., 2006. The effects of music tempo and loudness level on treadmill exercise. Ergonomics, 49(15), pp.1597-1610.

Lima-Silva, A.E., Silva-Cavalcante, M.D., Pires, F.D.O., Bertuzzi, R., Oliveira, R.S.F. and Bishop, D., 2012. Listening to music in the first, but not the last 1.5 km of a 5-km running trial alters pacing strategy and improves performance. International journal of sports medicine, 33(10), p.813.

Hagen, J., Foster, C., Rodríguez-Marroyo, J., De Koning, J.J., Mikat, R.P., Hendrix, C.R. and Porcari, J.P., 2013. The effect of music on 10-km cycle time-trial performance. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 8(104), p.6.

Waterhouse, J., Hudson, P. and Edwards, B., 2010. Effects of music tempo upon submaximal cycling performance. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 20(4), pp.662-669.