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This study evaluated the influence of music on anaerobic performance using a maximal effort Wingate anaerobic test. Physically active male and female participants (N = 25) completed a 30-second Wingate anaerobic test under two different conditions: music and no music. Physiological and psychological data were collected: Computer software was employed to obtain physiological measures of peak power, mean power, and power drop, while a scale questionnaire was administered immediately after each trial to gauge the subject’s level of motivation, exertion, and affect. Results indicated that peak power and mean power were significantly higher with music than without. In addition, participants reported increased motivation and more positive affect in the music condition as opposed to the non-music condition. The results of this study suggest that music can have a positive influence over anaerobic performance. From these findings, it can be concluded that music is a valuable tool for use in exercise and other physically strenuous activities.
Research into the relationship between music and exercise has revealed a positive relationship between music and physiological performance in the case of submaximal cardiovascular exercise. Findings pertaining to the relationship between music and supramaximal exercise present mixed conclusions.
Two studies conducted to examine the influence of music on supramaximal intensity exercise using the Wingate anaerobic test produced opposing results. Pujol and Langenfeld (1999) found no effect of music on improving maximal anaerobic performance. In contrast, Brohmer and Becker (2006) reported a significant improvement in the peak power output when music was present. Due to these conflicting results, there is still doubt about whether music can influence exercise performance at supramaximal intensities.
Various psychological variables have been studied in relation to music and submaximal aerobic performance, but to date no such attempt has been made to asses the psychological impact of listening to music on the experience of participants involved in a supramaximal anaerobic task. Thus, the following research question can be asked: Does the presence of music influence physiological and/or psychological parameters during anaerobic exercise?
It was expected that exercise performance on the Wingate anaerobic test would improve with the presence of music. Specifically, the participants were expected to exhibit a higher power output and a greater resistance to fatigue when performing the test under the music condition. It was also expected that participants would report lower perceived exertion, higher motivation, and more positive affect in the music condition, as opposed to the non-music condition.
PARTICIPANTS
25 physically active participants (13 male and 12 female; M age 20.8 years, SD = 5.4): 48% Caucasian, 24% Asian, 12% African-American, 4% Hispanic, and 12% other or mixed race.
INSTRUMENTATION
Wingate exertion data was collected using a Monark 828e testing cycle and Monark anaerobic testing software.
Perceived exertion was measured using the Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale (Borg, 1998)
Affect was measured using the Feeling Scale (Hardy & Rejeski, 1989)
Motivation was measured using a 10-point Likert scale
PROCEDURE
Participants completed a Wingate anaerobic test, performed on a cycle ergometer. The Wingate test follows an established protocol, which consists of a warm up, an “all out” 30-second bout of cycling at maximal intensity against a high braking force, and a cool down.
Following an initial familiarization trial, participants completed two test trials, each with a different sound environment (music and no music). The order of presentation was counterbalanced to eliminate a possible learning or fatigue effect, and participants rested for 15-minutes between the two test trials. There was a 24-48 hour period between the familiarization and testing trials.
The volume of the music was standardized at 75dB. The musical selection was the same for each participant, and was selected based upon a survey of musical preferences of undergraduate students. The selected song was the instrumental track Sandstorm by Darude.
During the Wingate test computer software linked to the cycle ergometer measured three physiological indices of performance: Peak power, mean power, and power drop. Upon completion of the test participants rated, via self-report, their perceived motivation, affect and exertion levels using standard scales.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data was analyzed using a series of paired-sample t-tests in SPSS.
The initial hypothesis was that music would influence supramaximal exercise performance by improving physical output. We also anticipated that music would positively influence the psychological variables of perceived motivation, exertion and affect.
Our results indicate that there is a significant improvement in anaerobic performance with the presence of music compared to a non-music environment. The data displays a positive difference in peak power and mean power, as well as motivation, exertion, and affect. These results confirm the hypothesis that music can enhance anaerobic exercise performance.
With this knowledge, music could be a helpful variable in designing superior fitness programs whether it be for athletes or recreational exercisers. These findings contribute to the already existing research that shows how music is a highly influential psychological factor in various types of physical activity.
A possible way to further this study would be to test how different genres or tempos of music influence anaerobic exercise; thus music employed for training could be specialized according to the goal of that training regimen.
This research was conducted as part of the 2008 Student Undergraduate Research at Emory (SURE) program.
Funding for this research was provided by Dean Stephen Bowen and Dean Kent Linville, Oxford College of Emory University, Office of Academic Affairs.
Assistance with data collection was provided by Dusty Cawthon and Nathan Reeder
We are grateful to all the volunteers who participated in this research
Borg, G. (1998). Borg’s perceived exertion and pain scales. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Brohmer. R. & Becker, C. (2006). Effects of music on Wingate performance. Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research, 2, 49-55.
Dorney, L., Kwan Ming, E., Goh, E., & Lee, C. (1992). The impact of music and imagery on physical performance and arousal: Studies of coordination and endurance. Journal of Sport Behavior, 15, 21-33.
Hardy, C.J., & Rejeski, W.J. (1989). Not what, but how one feels: The measurement of affect during exercise. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11, 304-317.
Pujol, T. J. & Langenfeld, M. E. (1999). Influence of music on Wingate anaerobic test performance. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1999, 88, 292-296.
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