This study examined the effects of loudness and tempo of background music on exercise performance. A total of 30 volunteers performed five 10-min exercise sessions on a treadmill. The music listened to whilst exercising was either fast/loud, fast/quiet, slow/loud, slow/quiet or absent. Measures of running speed, heart rate, perceived exertion and affect were taken. Significant effects and interactions were found for running speed and heart rate across the different music tempo and loudness levels. More positive affect was observed during the music condition in comparison to the 'no music' condition. No significant differences for perceived exertion were found across conditions. These results confirm that fast, loud music might be played to enhance optimal exercising, and show how loudness and tempo interact.

Despite the global efforts to encourage people to regularly participate in physical activity (PA) at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, an inadequate number of adults and adolescents worldwide meet the recommended dose of PA. A major challenge to promoting PA is that sedentary or low-active people experience negative shifts in affective valence (feeling bad versus good) in response to moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA. Interestingly, empirical data indicate that listening to music during acute bouts of PA positively alters affective valence (feeling good versus bad), reduces perceived exertion, and improves physical performance and oxygen utilization efficiency. From the viewpoint of the ancient principle of psychological hedonism – humans have ultimate desires to obtain pleasure and avoid displeasure – we elaborate on three putative mechanisms underlying the affective and ergogenic effects of music on acute bouts of PA: (1) musical pleasure and reward, (2) rhythmic entrainment, and (3) sensory distraction from physical exertion. Given that a positive shift in affective valence during an acute bout of PA is associated with more PA in the future, an important question arises as to whether the affective effect of music on acute PA can be carried over to promote long-term PA. Although this research question seems intuitive, to our knowledge, it has been scarcely investigated. We propose a theoretical model of Music as an Affective Stimulant to Physical Activity (MASPA) to further explain the putative mechanisms underlying the use of music to promote long-term PA. We believe there have been important gaps in music-based interventions in terms of the rationale supporting various components of the intervention and the efficacy of these interventions to promote long-term PA. Our specification of relevant mechanisms and proposal of a new theoretical model may advance our understanding of the optimal use of music as an affective, ergogenic, and sensory stimulant for PA promotion. Future directions are suggested to address the gaps in the literature.

Introduction This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined remote music and exercise training on the cognitive, psychological, and physical function of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Forty-one AD patients were randomly allocated to three groups, including control (C), training (T), and training with music (TM) groups. Participants were evaluated by cognitive and performance test batteries before and after the interventions. Both experimental groups performed 36 remote workouts in 3 months online via WhatsApp video call individually with the trainer. Training included simple and varied movements of all physical indicators. The number of sets began with two sets and progressively increased to one set every month, 5–10 repetitions per set. The overload was applied by reducing the break between sets every week. The TM group performed the same exercises while listening to Mozart and traditional Iranian songs. Results We observed a significant main, group, time, and interaction effect on Romberg (ηp2:0.72), 30 s chair sit and stand (ηp2:0.75), and walking on steppe test (ηp2:0.63). Furthermore, there was a significant main time and interaction effect on push-ups (ηp2:0.43), sit and reach (ηp2:0.64), and MMSE (ηp2:0.76). In all variables, two experimental groups demonstrated substantial improvements than the C group (p < 0.01). In addition, the TM group (27.8%) showed a significant improvement compared to the C group (−6.4%) and the T group (12.2%) in MMSE. Conclusion Combined remote training with listening to music as adjuvant treatment is an appropriate item to improve the cognitive and physical performance of Alzheimer’s patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listening to self-selected motivational music (SSMM) during warm-ups and caffeine (CAF) intake prior to exercise can independently enhance athletic performance among female athletes. Likewise, the potential synergistic effects of these interventions have not yet been thoroughly examined. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the independent and combined effects of SSMM during warm-up and pre-exercise CAF intake on maximal short-duration performance in female athletes. Methods: Seventeen female handball players (aged 16.7 ± 0.4 years) participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Each athlete completed four conditions: (i) placebo (PLA) with no interventions, (ii) music and placebo (MUS), (iii) caffeine intake only (CAF), and (iv) a combination of music and caffeine (MUS + CAF). Performance assessments included the countermovement jump (CMJ), modified agility t-test (MAT), repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test (mean and peak sprint performance), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: The MUS (p > 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p < 0.001, respectively), CAF (all p < 0.001), and MUS + CAF (all p < 0.01) conditions significantly outperformed the PLA condition in CMJ, MAT, RSA mean, and RSA peak measures. No significant differences were observed between the CAF and MUS + CAF conditions; however, the best performances were recorded during MUS + CAF. RPE scores remained consistent across conditions. Conclusions: Warm-up routines incorporating either SSMM or a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg·kg−1) enhance anaerobic performance in female athletes. While both interventions are effective independently, CAF intake elicits a stronger effect. Although no significant difference was demonstrated for this combination, the concurrent use of SSMM and CAF appears to produce a potential effect, emerging as the most effective strategy for optimizing anaerobic performance.

ABSTRACT This review aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the research on the effects of music on resistance exercise performance. Research in the field has consistently demonstrated an ergogenic effect of music on resistance exercise performance. Specifically, studies have reported that listening to music pre-exercise or during exercise may enhance handgrip strength, muscle endurance, velocity, and power. Although a performance-enhancing benefit has been observed in many (but not all studies), several factors such as music tempo, volume, and genre preference may modulate the ergogenic effect of music. An ergogenic effect is commonly reported with faster tempo music (&gt;120 bpm) set to muscle volume of 70–80 decibels. Using individual preference regarding music genre seems to produce the most consistent performance-enhancing effect. Besides these factors, lyrical content, harmony, and melody are also factors that may determine the ergogenic potential of music. By using some of the recommendations outlined herein, individuals may harness and optimize the ergogenic effects of music on resistance exercise performance.

Abstract Diehl, TL, Yu, JN, Storer, FM, and Malek, MH. Listening to music pretask on neuromuscular fatigue during exercise: preferred vs. nonpreferred music. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1537–1542, 2023—Studies indicate that listening to music can elicit various physiological responses ranging from distracting the subject from the sensation of fatigue to changes in specific regions of the brain. Indeed, the use of music, as an ergogenic aid, to improve human performance has been shown to be a powerful tool. Many studies on the effect of music on human performance have had subjects listen to music in-task (i.e., during the activity). There is, however, a growing interest to determine the role of listening to music pretask (i.e., before the activity) on exercise outcomes. In addition, it is important to consider the subject's music preference as that may influence the target outcome variable(s). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether listening to preferred music pretask influences the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT). We hypothesized that listening to preferred music pretask will increase the estimated PWCFT compared with the control condition, which is listening to nonpreferred music. Nine healthy college-aged men (mean ± SEM: age, 23.4 ± 0.4 years; body mass, 71.6 ± 2.5 kg; and height, 1.81 ± 0.02 m) volunteered for this study. Each subject visited the laboratory on 2 occasions separated by 7 days. In a randomized manner, subjects listened to their preferred music for 30 minutes before the exercise test for 1 visit, whereas for the other visit, subjects listened to their nonpreferred music 30 minutes before the exercise test. Exercise outcomes were recorded for both visits and analyzed using a paired-samples t test. The results indicated no significant (p > 0.05) mean differences for maximal power output (mean ± SEM: 60 ± 4 W vs. 60 ± 4 W), PWCFT (25 ± 3 W vs. 29 ± 2 W), or heart rate at end exercise (153 ± 8 b·min−1 vs. 155 ± 7 b·min−1) between listening to nonpreferred vs. preferred music 30 minutes before the exercise activity. These findings suggest that listening to music pretask does not influence neuromuscular fatigue during the exercise workbout.

Introduction The study aimed to investigate and confirm from a physiological and psychological perspective whether preferred music would influence anaerobic performance during the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Methods A total of 18 (men, n = 12, women, n = 6) sub-élite track-and-field and football athletes (mean age 22.2 ± 2.1 years, mean height 175.3 ± 8.0 cm, mean weight 66.4 ± 10.6 kg, mean BMI 21.5 ± 2.2 kg/m2) were voluntarily recruited. The RAST procedure was performed by recording maximum power (Pmax), average power (Pmean), minimum power (Pmin), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and motivational level (visual analog scale) while listening to preferred or no music through headphones. Results Listening to music significantly increased motivation (p < 0.001, effect size = 1.31, very large) compared to no music. However, no significant differences were observed in other performance variables between the “with music” and “without music” conditions. Conclusions Overall, listening to preferred music during an anaerobic exercise improves motivation as confirmed by previous evidence. This could be helpful for athletes to strive for even higher goals by improving their current performance level.

effect on physical performance compared to men when listening to all types of music, while men mainly benefited from listening to synchronous music. A 2004 The interplay of exercise and music has long been discussed, crossing the disciplines of biomechanics, neurology, physiology, and sport psychology. Research and experimentation on the relation between music and exercise dates back to the early 1900s, when investigator Leonard Ayres found that cyclists pedaled faster in the presence of a band and music, as opposed to when it was silent. Since then, The interplay of exercise and music has long been discussed, crossing the disciplines of biomechanics, neurology, physiology, and sport psychology. Research and experimentation on the relation between music and exercise dates back to the early 1900s, when investigator Leonard Ayres found that cyclists pedaled faster in the presence of a band and music, as opposed to when it was silent. Since then, hundreds of studies have been conducted on both the physiological and psychological relationship between music and physical activity, with a number of clear cut relationships and trends emerging. Exercise and music involves the use of music before, during, and/or after performing a physical activity. Listening to music while exercising is done to improve aspects of exercise, such as strength output, exercise duration, and motivation. The use of music during exercise can provide physiological benefits as well as psychological benefits. In research and experiments, the physical and psychological effects of music and exercise tend to be measured by performance indicators such as heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, fatigue perception, self-reported mood changes, as well as performance indicators connected to the activity. A…