Why Music and Fitness Deliver the Best Results

Music is a commanding force that can be made use of in practically any setting. From gyms making use of pop tunes to athletes with their own MP3 players, music stimulates exercise at all levels and for all varieties of physical activity, including strength training, cardio, and stretching. Naturally, when one is motivated to do something, he or she works at it for a longer period of time in conjunction with more effort. Much like how nutritional supplements are, music serves as an ergogenic aid to exercise. There has been a rather large degree of study concerning the connection between music and the human body. An associate professor at Brunel University (in England), Costas Karageorghis, has been studying the bond between music and motivation since the 1980s. From this research, several theories have been proposed as to why listening to your favourite tunes aids in maintaining a certain level of intensity whilst exercising.

For starters, it is believed that music serves as a type of distraction that prevents the participant from listening to body signals representing fatigue. As a consequence, participants would persevere with activity much longer than they would otherwise. Further research has observed the effect of certain music’s’ tempo on psychological reactions with respect to motivation. Explicitly, strength and endurance were gauged with respect to the response to the type of music, ranging from a slow and relaxing vibe, to an upbeat and familiar tune.

The results, of course, advocated that the upbeat music had a larger, assessable impact, showing greater strength and endurance due to psychological excitement. This is at least in part due to the research of Costas Karageorghis, as his studies have shown that the brain utilises musical tempo as an indication to exercise, particularly in repetitive activities. The tempo itself serves as a technique of measuring and maintaining pace. Moreover, other studies have suggested that listening to music whilst exercising reduces the likelihood of becoming bored (especially with repetitive, monotonous, activities like running on a treadmill) via becoming immersed in your favourite tunes.

Naturally, when you’re bored, it is more likely that you’ll count the minutes until you can stop exercising. Listening to your favourite tunes circumvents this possibility. In the end, it stands to reason that listening to something that spurs some sort of emotional response, will have an impact on the body’s neurotransmitters (endorphins), therefore making the experience of exercising more enjoyable and in turn, facilitates the development of higher levels of motivation.

Bibliography

Blair, S.N., A.N. Dunn, B.H. Marcus, R.A. Carpenter, and P. Jaret. 2001. Active Living Every Day. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Buckworth, J., and R.K. Dishman. 2002. Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Cox, R.H. 2002. Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications, 5th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Decik E.L., and R.M. Ryan. 1985. Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behaviour. New York: Plenum Press.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Supplements for Women Over 40: Boost Your Health

    The Ultimate Guide to Supplements for Women Ove...

    Hi there! I'm excited to share my expertise on nutritional support for women entering their 40s and beyond! After years of studying women's health and hormonal transitions, I've developed a...

    The Ultimate Guide to Supplements for Women Ove...

    Hi there! I'm excited to share my expertise on nutritional support for women entering their 40s and beyond! After years of studying women's health and hormonal transitions, I've developed a...

  • Top Supplements for Extreme Fatigue: Find Your Energy Boost Solution

    Top Supplements for Extreme Fatigue: Find Your ...

    The Best Supplement for Extreme Fatigue: Boost Your Energy Today Persistent, debilitating fatigue can transform daily activities into overwhelming challenges. When extreme tiredness doesn’t resolve with adequate sleep or rest,...

    Top Supplements for Extreme Fatigue: Find Your ...

    The Best Supplement for Extreme Fatigue: Boost Your Energy Today Persistent, debilitating fatigue can transform daily activities into overwhelming challenges. When extreme tiredness doesn’t resolve with adequate sleep or rest,...

  • What is Kale and Why is it So Nutritionally Rich?

    What is Kale and Why is it So Nutritionally Rich?

    Kale is a Nutrient-Rich Superfood Kale is a delicious and nutritious leafy green that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants our bodies need to function properly. It is particularly...

    What is Kale and Why is it So Nutritionally Rich?

    Kale is a Nutrient-Rich Superfood Kale is a delicious and nutritious leafy green that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants our bodies need to function properly. It is particularly...

1 of 3