Whether you are going for a run, bike ride, or heading to the gym there’s one thing that so many people want to have with them… and that’s music. There are several benefits associated with music which are supported by the medical community. According to Cherry (2019) the benefits include the following:
- Improved Cognitive Performance
- Reduced Stress
- Improved Appetite/Food Cravings
- Improved Memory
- Pain Management
- Improved Sleep
- Improved Motivation
- Improved Mood
- Reduced Symptoms of Depression
- Improved Endurance and Performance
When exercising, some utilize music as a distraction and others use it for improved focus (Lamont et al., 2016). The type of music chosen can also contribute to performance based on the tempo. For example, faster music would be more suitable for high intensity exercise while slower tempo would contribute to relaxation (Lamont et al., 2016). There have been several studies associated with music’s impact on exercise and performance that there is a tool known as the Brunel Music Rating Inventory that helps athletes determine the most appropriate music based on their goals (Karageorghis et al., 2006). The distinction would be utilizing the music as a distraction (dissociative conditions) or as a tool for focus (associative conditions) (Gabana et al., 2015). Studies have also shown that music can improve performance in moderate intensities through dissociation by reducing one’s perception of their exertion during exercise (Gabana et al., 2015). The same study also shows that music used for both associative and dissociative purposes showed no significant improvement in performance during maximal effort movements or exercises.
Why is this important?
It’s not unusual for us to lose focus or motivation during exercise. Finding that addition to your routine can help not only make the experience more enjoyable, but also improve your performance! This could be beneficial for those who are recovering from an injury as well. Stretching routines can be very monotonous and frustrating outside of the therapy clinic. If you’re frustrated or know that you will be experiencing discomfort during your stretching routine, you can use music to help dissociate from the more challenging stretch pain. Also watching the time on the trackbar can help you count while stretching (holding a stretch through the chorus for example).
References
Cherry, K. (2019, December 10). 10 surprising psychological benefits of music. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/surprising-psychological-benefits-of-music-4126866.
Gabana, N. T., Van Raalte, J. L., Hutchinson, J. C., Brewer, B. W., & Petitpas, A. J. (2015). The Effects of Music and a Coxswain on Attentional Focus, Perceived Exertion, Motivation, and Performance During a 1,000 m Ergometer Rowing Sprint. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27(3), 288–300.
Karageorghis, C.I., Priest, D.L., Terry, P.C., chatzisarantis, N.L.D. and Lane A.M. (2006). Redesign and initial validation of an instrument to assess the motivational qualities of music in exercise: The Brunel Music Rating Inventory-2. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(8), 899-909.
Lamont, A., Greasley, A., & Sloboda, J. (2016). Choosing to hear music: Motivation, process, and effect. In S. Hallam, I. Cross, & M. Thaut (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of music psychology., 2nd ed. (pp. 711–724). Oxford University Press.
