25/05/2018
Music (part 1)...
Listening to music during a workout has been described as the “legal, performance enhancing drug.” It’s easy to see why. I’m sure you’ve psyched yourself up with music before a set and managed those extra reps. If you’re not listening to music during your workout, you may not be reaching your potential...
What music should you be listening to?
2 factors to why music can motivate are;
* rhythm response - refers to the tempo (beats per minute). We subconsciously move in time with the tempo. This is shown to distract the mind and improve endurance.
* Association - associating a piece of music with success or aggression can increase arousal and improve performance. (I doubt I’ll be adding the rocky theme tune or eye of the tiger to my gym playlist though).
Music influences mood, emotion and behaviour and can motivate you to go the gym on the days when you’re not feeling it.
Athletes who listen to music during their workout are shown to have greater endurance and power than those who don’t.
What’s the science?
The brain can only process so much information, during exercise, signals are constantly being sent to the brain to tell you how tired you’re becoming. Listening to music also sends signals to the brain to be processed, the brain can only process so much information, meaning signals of fatigue aren’t processed as quickly.
Music has shown to change the way we perceive exertion levels during exercise. It provides a pacing advantage and boosts mood and confidence. All contributing to a better gym session.
So what music should you listen to?
Research has shown that music with a higher tempo around 100-150 beats per minute provides a good pacing strategy.
This may sound obvious, but listen to music you prefer. A study showed participants who listened to their chosen music cycled further and experienced less discomfort from exercise.
Music with vocals is shown to be more motivational than a drum beat, again boosting endurance and can also provide positive affirmations.
So, set you gym playlist up and visualise yourself as rocky balboa running up all those steps (whatever works for you).