High tempo music prolongs high intensity exercise

Abstract

Music has been shown to reduce rating of perceived exertion, increase exercise enjoyment and enhance exercise performance, mainly in low-moderate intensity exercises. However, the effects of music are less conclusive with high-intensity activities. The purpose of this with-participant design study was to compare the effects of high tempo music (130 bpm) to a no-music condition during repeated high intensity cycling bouts (80% of peak power output (PPO)) on the following measures: time to exercise end-point, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR), breathing frequency, ventilatory kinetics and blood lactate (BL). Under the music condition, participants exercised 10.7% longer (p = 0.035; Effect size (ES) = 0.28) (increase of 1 min) and had higher HR (4%; p = 0.043; ES = 0.25), breathing frequency (11.6%; p < 0.001; ES = 0.57), and RER (7% at TTF; p = 0.021; ES = 1.1) during exercise, as measured at the exercise end-point. Trivial differences were observed between conditions in RPE and other ventilatory kinetics during exercise. Interestingly, 5 min post-exercise termination, HR recovery was 13.0% faster following the music condition (p < 0.05) despite that music was not played during this period. These results strengthen the notion that music can alter the association between central motor drive, central cardiovascular command and perceived exertion, and contribute to prolonged exercise durations at higher intensities along with a quicken HR recovery.

Listening to Preferred Music Improved Running Performance without Changing the Pacing Pattern during a 6 Minute Run Test with Young Male Adults

“…Coaches and researchers have described a variety of pacing strategies such as the negative, all-out, positive, even, parabolic-shaped (U, J, reverse J), and variable pacing strategies [1]. Previous studies showed that exercise performance and pacing strategies depend on specific factors such as knowledge of the endpoint [6], performance level, competitors [7], and music [8,9].…”

“…Many studies have shown the beneficial effects of music on sport-specific performance, particularly during aerobic events [9][10][11]. The use of music as an ergogenic aid may enhance performance by influencing exercise intensity (i.e., running speed and heart rate) and rating of perceived effort (RPE) [9,11,12].…”

“…Many studies have shown the beneficial effects of music on sport-specific performance, particularly during aerobic events [9][10][11]. The use of music as an ergogenic aid may enhance performance by influencing exercise intensity (i.e., running speed and heart rate) and rating of perceived effort (RPE) [9,11,12]. In addition, Karageorghis et al [12] reported that the careful application of music can lead to a number of benefits that include lower perceived exertion (RPE), greater energy efficiency, and faster time trial performances.…”

“…In addition, Karageorghis et al [12] reported that the careful application of music can lead to a number of benefits that include lower perceived exertion (RPE), greater energy efficiency, and faster time trial performances. Maddigan et al [9] reported music-induced increases in running duration, breathing frequency, and respiratory exchange ratio, a decrease in RPE, as well as a faster heart rate recovery compared to the control condition. They rationalized that music provided a divergent stimulus that modified central nervous system control of volitional fatigue.…”

Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Achievement Motivation in Physical Education in Adolescents

“…This is partially in agreement with a recent study in adolescents, which showed that listening to motivational music was associated with a significant improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the treadmill run, but not in the SRT-original [ 46 ]. Accordingly, music could contribute to prolonged exercise durations at higher intensities [ 47 ]. Even more, music could be related to all the emotional systems [ 48 ] which have been related to motivation [ 49 ].…”