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Not everyone enjoys workingout but it is difficult to find a person who does not become inspired when listening to his favorite singer.
A recent study published in the "Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology" showed that music can motivate a runner to run longer or a cyclist to pedal harder. These findings come as no surprise to many who have long relied on music to motivate them on a five-mile jaunt or a bicep-burning weight-training session.
Music's powerful effect on exercise sends a strong message to couch potatoes, health devotees suffering from exercise burnout or health practitioners who need to motivate clients or patients. In the fight against obesity, weight-related health conditions and a sedentary lifestyle, music can play a significant role in reversing these trends.
A recent study published in the "Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology" showed that music can motivate a runner to run longer or a cyclist to pedal harder. These findings come as no surprise to many who have long relied on music to motivate them on a five-mile jaunt or a bicep-burning weight-training session.
Music's powerful effect on exercise sends a strong message to couch potatoes, health devotees suffering from exercise burnout or health practitioners who need to motivate clients or patients. In the fight against obesity, weight-related health conditions and a sedentary lifestyle, music can play a significant role in reversing these trends.
- The Evidence
- For many years, researchers have been examining the effects music has on exercise. According to Len Kravitz, Ph.D., program coordinator of exercise science and a researcher at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, four primary conclusions can be drawn from the numerous studies that have tried to explain music's facilitation on exercise performance.
First, music can reduce the feeling of fatigue allowing the exerciser to work out for longer periods of time. Second, it can boost spirits. Music can also produce relaxation response which can help someone push through some of the more uncomfortable feelings of an exercise. And, lastly, the rhythms of music can improve motor coordination. Not only can this reduce risk of injury but it also has implications for those who are suffering from a movement disorder like Parkinson's disease or paralysis following a stroke. In fact, a 2004 study noted in the journal, "Neuroscience Letters" showed that music increased motor coordination with those affected by Parkinson's disease.
- When it comes to pairing music with exercise, the same study that showed music's effect on endurance and experience also showed that carefully selected music is largely responsible for these positive results.
In general, upbeat music with a strong beat and rhythm enhances cardiovascular exercise like running, cycling, brisk walking, spinning or stair-climbing. The music's rhythm--whether it is Madonna or the Red Hot Chili Peppers--forces the exerciser to match her pace and time with that of the music's tempo.
In a similar manner, when music is paired with more gentle forms of exercise like yoga, Pilates or during a cool-down stretch, the music's tempo is generally slower and the volume is reduced, reflecting the overall tone of the exercise.
- From serving as a strong motivator to encourage exercise and from helping individuals recover from motor coordination injuries and conditions, music's effect on exercise is far-reaching and important. With the convenience of iPods and MP3 players and with the access to myriad kinds of music thanks to websites like iTunes, creating personalized selections of music has never been easier, making exercise more motivating than ever.
- For many years, researchers have been examining the effects music has on exercise. According to Len Kravitz, Ph.D., program coordinator of exercise science and a researcher at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, four primary conclusions can be drawn from the numerous studies that have tried to explain music's facilitation on exercise performance.