Music: A psychophysiological aid to physical exercise and sport

Abstract

The use of music has been identified as a potential ergogenic aid that helps to improve performance in exercise. Music has been classified as a psychological ergogenic aid and has attracted interest mainly for its effects found in studies with a focus on performance during exercise, pre-task and post-task. In this context, the objective of this study was to review the literature about the main effects of music on performance and their possible mechanisms, covering new perspectives about the theme. The method consisted of search, selection and stratification of the original articles of major databases (Medline, Sport Discuss, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo) using the descriptors music, exercise, performance and fatigue. We considered all models and types of exercise and music. These articles suggest that the use of music as an ergogenic aid could be efficient to improve performance; decrease rate perceived of exertion and is capable to bring better feelings to exercise, according to time of application, physical fitness of subjects, type of exercise and musical components,respecting some recommendations and orientations to insertion. The main proposed mechanisms of action for the music ergogenic effects are based on behavioral hypothesis and are still being discussed; also there are not enough evidences to discard any of them, demonstrating the need for future studies in attempt to clarify such effects in central nervous system. To sum it all up, we propose some orientations of use in submaximal and maximal exercise, allowing coaches and athletes apply this technique in their methods of training.

Full text

Music: a psychophysiological aid to physical exercise and sport
311
Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
Revisión
Marcelo Bigliassi1, Célio Estanislau2, João Guilherme Carneiro1, Thiago Ferreira Dias Kanthack1,
Leandro Ricardo Altimari1
1Group of Study and Research in Neuromuscular System and Exercise, Physical Education and Sport Center - Londrina State University, Paraná, Brazil.
2Group of Research in Psychobiology - Center for Biological Sciences, Londrina State University, Paraná, Brazil.
Correspondencia: Marcelo Bigliassi
E-mail:bigliassi@live.com
Summary
The use of music has been identi ed as a potential ergogenic aid that helps to improve performance in exercise. Music
has been classi ed as a psychological ergogenic aid and has attracted interest mainly for its e ects found in studies with
a focus on performance during exercise, pre-task and post-task. In this context, the objective of this study was to review
the literature about the main e ects of music on performance and their possible mechanisms, covering new perspectives
about the theme. The method consisted of search, selection and strati cation of the original articles of major databases
(Medline, Sport Discuss, Scopus, Web of Scienceand Scielo) using the descriptors music, exercise, performance and fatigue.
We considered all models and types of exercise and music. These articles suggest that the use of music as an ergogenic aid
could be e cient to improve performance; decrease rate perceived of exertion and is capable to bring better feelings to
exercise, according to time of application, physical  tness of subjects, type of exercise and musical components,respecting
some recommendations and orientations to insertion. The main proposed mechanisms of action for the music ergogenic
e ects are based on behavioral hypothesis and are still being discussed; also there are not enough evidences to discard any
of them, demonstrating the need for future studies in attempt to clarify such e ects in central nervous system. To sum it
all up, we propose some orientations of use in submaximal and maximal exercise, allowing coaches and athletes apply this
technique in their methods of training.
Resumen
El uso de la música se ha identi cado como un auxiliar ergogénico potencial que ayuda a mejorar el rendimiento en el
ejercicio. La música ha sido clasi cada como una ayuda ergogénica psicológica y ha despertado el interés principalmente
por sus efectos encontrados en estudios con un enfoque en el rendimiento durante, antes y después del ejercicio, En este
contexto, el objetivo de este estudio fue revisar la literatura sobre los principales efectos de la música sobre el rendimiento
y sus posibles mecanismos, cubriendo nuevas perspectivas sobre el tema. El método consistió en la búsqueda, selección
y estrati cación de los artículos originales de grandes bases de datos (Medline, Sport Discuss, Scopus, Web of Science and
Scielo) que utilizan los descriptores: música, ejercicio, rendimiento y fatiga. Se consideraron todos los modelos y tipos de
ejercicio y música. Estos artículos indican que el uso de la música como un auxiliar ergogénico podría ser e caz para mejorar
el rendimiento; disminuir la tasa de percepción de esfuerzo y es capaz de ofrecer mejores sensaciones con el ejercicio, de
acuerdo con el tiempo de aplicación, la condición física de los sujetos, el tipo de ejercicio y componentes musicales, respetando
algunas recomendaciones y orientaciones para la inserción. Los principales mecanismos de acción propuestos por los efectos
ergogénicos de la música se basan en la hipótesis de comportamiento y se siguen discutiendo; tampoco hay evidencias
su cientes para descartar cualquiera de ellos, lo que demuestra la necesidad de estudios futurosen un intento por aclarar
tales efectos en el sistema nervioso central.Para resumir todo esto, proponemos algunas orientaciones de uso en el ejercicio
submáximo y máximo, permitiendo que los entrenadores y atletas aplicar esta técnica en sus métodos de entrenamiento.
Palabras clave:
Sensory aids.
Sports.
Motor activity.
Key words:
Ayudas sensoriales.
Deportes.
Actividad motora.
Recibido: 12.04.2013
Aceptado: 18.07.2013
Music: a psychophysiological aid to physical exercise and sport
Música: un recurso psicofi siológico para el ejercicio físico y deporte

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312 Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
Introduction
The evolution of science in sports training and the pursuit of the
human performance limits, particularly over the last decade, have
attracted numerous researchers to investigate the ergogenic potential
of di erent resources that can contribute to the physical performance
improvementof athletes in di erent sports1,2. The term “ergogenic” is
derived from the Greek words “ergon” and “genes” which means “work”
and “production” or “creation”, respectively3. Ergogenic resources are-
traditionally classi ed into  ve categories: mechanical, psychological,
physiological, pharmacological and nutritional4,5, ranging from safe
and legal procedures (e.g., intake of carbohydrates or ca eine) to illegal
and potentially unsafe means, such as the use of anabolic steroids and
blood infusion5,6.
Among these resources, the music has been classified as an
psychological ergogenic aid3 and has attracted interest mainly for its
e ects found in studies with a focus on performance during exercise7-10,
pre-task11 and post-task12. Karageorghis and Terry13 and more recently
Karageorghis and Priest14 present three possible hypotheses about how
music can in uence motor behavior. The  rst hypothesis is that the song
“uses” par t of the attention, causing the individual to respond less to the
signs of fatigue during exercise. This hypothesis is based on a model of
parallel information processing15, according to which information from
di erent a erent pathways are processed simultaneously16,17. The second
hypothesis advocates a predisposition for synchronizing the movements
with the rhythmic component of music18-19, i.e., the beats per minute
(BPM) of the music would in uence the pace of the movements of the
exercise (e.g. walking or cycling)20. The third hypothesis is based on the
assumption that music can evoke extra-musical associations, which
may be conducive to physical activity (Increasing arousal or accelerating
relaxation)21,22. The hypothesis is based on the in uence of personal
experience, often through popular culture (e.g. movies, TV etc..) so that
if a song was previously associated with physical activity, it will act as
a conditioned stimulus eliciting certain conditioned psychophysical
responses17,23. Each of these hypotheses will be treated in a practical
perspective below.
Along with the study of the mechanisms, a series of experimental
approaches are trying to expand the range of expertise in the area,
emphasizing the aspects of music that can change the magnitude of
the ergogenic e ect, such as the type of song and music tempo. The
in uence of other factors besides the characteristics of music, such as
the types of tests used and the level of individual physical  tness have
also been studied. All these studies are directed at the consistent test of
three possiblehypotheses, previously cited, sustaining the use of music
as an ergogenic aid24-27.
As mentioned above, there is great interest in study music and
its potentialergogenic e ect. However, the literature lacks a synthesis
with the main  ndings to direct future experiments, reviewing what has
been tried and what needs to be addressed. Thus it would be of great
importance to organize and identify the main papers that aimed to test
the e ect of music on physical and emotional performance. Thus, the
aim of this literature review was to stratify and organize the evidences
on the ergogenic e ect of music on exercise performance and address
the main hypotheses that explain their e ects in a practical perspective
to use in physical activities and sports domain.
Methods
The method of this study was the search, selection and strati cation
of data in the literature of major international (MEDLINE, SPORT DISCUSS,
SCOPUS, Web of Science) and national databases (Brazil) (SCIELO). The
search was guided by the descriptors music/música, exercise/exer-
cício, performance/desempenho and fatigue/fadiga, in English and
Portuguese, respectively, in all di erent possible combinations. These
words were chosen because we believe that are sentences capable to
answer our needs to show the e ects of music during physical exercise
in performance and fatigue parameters.
Inclusion criteria
Only original articles obtained in full, with humans as subjects
were considered for analysis. In addition, review articles, non-exercise
conditions and pathological populations were excluded, and all exercise
protocols found were included in the review. Regardless of the type of
music (type, tempo, pace and preference), all studies were included if
music was present to the exercise condition.
Mechanisms and prospects of action of
music
Hypothesis of parallel processing
The hypothesis of parallel processing states that information pro-
cessing on internal or external sources, regardless of exercise or lack of
it, occurs in parallel15. This means that basically a series of stimuli is re-
ceived, and they are processed by the cerebral cortex in a pre-conscious
manner, in order to increase the focus of interpretation to what at any
given time is more important28. The main a erent information reaches
the conscious focus, which can some how be modulated by the subject,
since the subject is able to prioritize what he thinks or unconsciously
what is the most important at that moment. Many of these responses
are observed in the mechanisms responsible for the rate of perceived
exertion15, social a ective state, behavior22 and nonverbal signals13 . From
this perspective, some authors tried to observe the possible responses
generated by the interaction between exercise and music as a sign of
dissociation29-31. A great future perspective to this topic is the volume
of sound and a new music capable to distract the listener, mainly in
the begin of the exercise, making the rate of perceived exertion smaller
than without musicat the moment and postpone the fatigue/time to
exhaustion32.
Synchronization hypothesis
Synchronization mechanisms show the ability of the brain to un-
consciously synchronize the movements of speci c cyclic exercises, for
example, the pace of running in the race and pedaling in cycling, with
the beats per minute of music19. There is evidence that consolidates

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this hypothesis33. However, some researchers have shown interest and
thereby are investigating the ability to synchronize music with exercise
performance or a ective responses to exercise34,35. This hypothesis has
being considered currently the most important in a hierarchical model,
proposing the rhythmic response as responsible for making us going
further14. The new prospect to this hypothesis references on pacing
strategy and possibility of keeping the load along the task, that is, when
we ran/cycled/swam we adopted a pacing strategy consciously and
unconsciously that make us able to  nish the task in the minor time,
for example. In that way, the synchronous music can act keeping the
cadency along the task and possibly decreasing the fall of performance
in some moments of the activity36,37.
To synchronize the beat of music with cadency of cyclic movements,
some devices were purposed, the moBeat was designed to make heart
rate match music tempo (heart rate is a physiologic indicator of physi-
cal performance)38, also to use this component on ecological validity,
the BODiBEAT(Yamaha®) was purposed too, to make this match with
movement pattern and tempo.
Motivational/Mood hypothesis
This hypothesisis based on behavioral aspects, primarily in the
a ective and socio-cultural mechanisms. The mood hypothesis indi-
cates a change in the central nervous system arousal occurred during
a particular song, since the memory can associate that particular song
or rhythm with a speci c situation22. This can often promote feelings of
relaxation, anger, longing, happiness, among others,which in the case
of exercise can lead to changes in performance16,17,25. Regarding athletes,
the songs are used to decrease pre-competitive anxiety, or to increase
the motivation and desire to win39. From this perspective, studies that
have focused on this theory test the use of music as an ergogenic
speci cally in di erent conditions of changes in a ective state and
mood during exercise20,40,41. This hypothesis has two di erent aspects
that must be contemplated, a direct and indirect way. The direct way
makes reference to act of components of music in the subject (melody,
harmony, tune and timbre), but the indirect way shows a great perspec-
tive to future studies, a time that self select music can bring memories
and remembers capable to increase our vigor and desire to task, then
indentify inspirational songs with intrinsic properties to everyone is a
good way to recommend the choice.
Music, its components and activation
The music has been largely studied in many contexts, since its
use as a therapy for diseases (hypertension, autism and neurological
rehabilitation)42-44, to the intervention in stress cases, improvement of
mood and memory45 and in physical exercises and sports as a way to
enhance the performance or just turning it into a nicer activity to do7,8.
The music is characterized as a harmonious form of sound’s that works
in with constant time spaces or sometimes inconstant, translated in a
melodic form. It is sometimes called art, containing speci c compo-
nents that make the music able to cross the barriers of thought and
subconscious, acting in our emotion and memory. Their components
are individual parts of a whole, able to be analyzed and modulated by
the ones who composes or experiment it. They are: melody, translated
as a complex successive organization of sounds and silence, normally
transcribed in a linear form with its own characteristics; The harmony,
been a set of simultaneous emissions of related sounds, with di erent
sound frequency, known as the result of di erent notes overlaid; rhythm,
called as the elapsed art in time domain, between regular intervals in a
musical verse; tone, known as the sound height inside a reference scale
and the timbre, bring sense to the sound quality, been the point that
allows to distinguish sounds from di erent sources.
Each musical component tends to be interpreted in di erent brain
places as shown in Figure 1. A specialized neural system located in the
right superior temporal cortex (RSTC) is responsible for the melody
analyzes, such as a neural net in the right pre-frontal cortex (RPFC) in-
terprets the tone comparisons, furthermore, this component seems to
beanalyzed in the right temple too (RT) and in the frontal cor tex (FC). The
dominant hemisphere (DH) that in most people is the left side is related
with the rhythm analyzes, brakes and also the tone, and everything
indicates that the left temple (LT) performs only the perception of the
brakes, while the right temporoparietal region (RTPR) interprets the
emotions and hedonistic answers to the music and also percept the
music timbre46 (Figure 1).
However, when cerebral speci c regions from movement control
are analyzed, we can see that few of them maintain relationship or
similarity, been especially evidenced, the pre-motor cortex, the pre-
supplementary motor area, the primary motor cortex and the inferior
part of the posterior parietal cortex, apparently. What must be clear is
that despite di erent areas of comprehension, analyze, interpretation
and command, the procedures resources are the same capable to act
in a parallel form, been dependent of the activation level28, that induct
the necessity of prioritize di erent intensities of intervention with
psychological patterns47. In this way, the music perception happens
in three stages, since the initial moment as the pure perception of the
hearing stimulus alone, for the analysis of the music structure subdivi-
Figure 1. Cerebral regions specialized in perceptual analysis of the
music components.
RSTC: right superior temple cortex; RPFC: right pre-frontal cortex; RT: right temple; FC: fron-
tal cortex; DH: dominant hemisphere; LT: left temple; RTPR: right temporoparietal region.

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314 Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
ded in its basics components or complex, until the moment of sound
identi cation that is been played, occurring the knowledge of its source
and comparison48.
Mainly the medium temporal area (MTA) is responsible for the
emotions caused by the music and also, the hippocampus right area
(HRA), left temporal region (LTR), right temporal region (RTR), frontal
left inferior spin (FLIS), left precuneus (LP), that are regions indenti ed
by the memory46.
in the same study, there was a decrease in the slow music condition of
3.8%, 9.8% and 5.9% in the same variables, indicating the importance
of musical components such as tempo and duration.
In the study by Edworthy and Warind31, various types of musical
rhythm and volume were tested during several sessions of ten minutes
of walking and running, con gured so that the volunteers feelcomfor-
table. Measures of perceived exertion, heart rate, speed, and a ective
state were obtained. The data demonstrated that both the musical
rhythm and volume in uence the performance parameters, heart rate
and subjective variables, with heart rate being primarily in uenced by
the rhythm rather than the volume, with the presence of increased
systole with the use of faster pace music. Additionally, it was found that
increasing the volume only provides an e ect if associated with fast pace.
Szmedra and Bacharach52 have identified positive outcomes
from the use of music as an ergogenic aid for submaximal exercise on
physiological and psychological variables. The protocol consisted of
15 minutes of running at 70% VO2max in the control and classical music
conditions. Among the study’s  ndings, we highlight a lower heart rate,
lower systolic blood pressure, lower blood lactate concentration, lower
rate of pressure product ([heart rate] * [systolic blood pressure]/100) and
lower perceived exertionin the music condition compared to the control
condition (P <0.05), and smaller, but not signi cant, amount of circu-
lating norepinephrine (P = 0.07). Karageorghis et al.16, investigated the
in uence of music tempo during submaximal exercise, with the purpose
of verifying the ergogenic e ect on motivation.They used a protocol
of 26 minutes at 70% of the reserve heart rate. The results showed that
an average tempo (115 - 120 beats per minute) with 75 decibels was
considered by the students more interesting for performing exercise
and able to improve their current motivational state.
In summary, the ergogenic e ect of music during submaximal
exercise is consistent in the available literature. As exempli ed in the
above-mentioned articles, the main in uences are rhythm and fami-
liarity and musical taste, demonstrating an e ect on physiological and
subjective variables. The volume provides an e ect only if associated
with a high pace. To be considered ergogenic e ect on the Tables 1, 2
and 3, anystatistic signi cant change in any variable studied was used.
Maximal exercise
There is a medium rate of positive e ects in the context of maximal
exercise, around 80% of the studies showed such an e ect. However,
this index can be viewed asa considerable achievement. Within this
perspective, the main  ndings within this context were on some perfor-
mance variables (Table 2), for example, time to exhaustion. Karageorghis,
et al.50, evaluating active individuals in a race at 75% heart rate reserve
until exhaustion in the conditions motivational music, non-motivational
music and control, noted that the results showed that the motivational
music condition was able to increase the total test time compared to
the other conditions (P <0.05), besides having lower perceived exertion
and better a ective state in the two minutes before starting the test.
In the study by Elliott et al.23, following a rigorous methodological
process of music selection, going through assessments of language,
socio-cultural and motivational qualities of music, the subjects perfor-
med a 12-minute test on a cycle ergometer at three di erent condi-
Figure 2. Illustrative representation about how music can act on
cerebral regions related to memory and emotions, allowing an
increase in the performance.
Effects of music on physical performance
The main research models of the interplay between music and exer-
cise use primarily submaximal26,29,49 and maximal intensities25,33,50. During
the searching process, few studies have targeted closed-loop exercise,
such as Time Trial34,35 and one study has used isometric exercise17. The
populations studied are predominantly active, healthy individuals, with
some degree of training, but non-athletes. Among the articles reviewed,
mosthave found some kind of positive e ect associated with the use
of music in parallel to exercise, regardless of the type of exercise.The
signi cant di erences found regarding the ergogenic e ect of music
compared to the control condition are related to increased time to
exhaustion50,51, decreased rate of perceived exertion or decrease of the
total test time29,34.
Submaximal exercise
The ergogenic e ect of music has been reported in submaximal
exercise, with a positive e ect being observed in about 90% of the stu-
dies reviewed (Table 1), indicating that at intensities below the anaerobic
threshold the dissociation theory seems to have more in uence. In the
study by Waterhouse et al.29, the authors investigated di erent types of
music selectedaccording to the musical preferences of the volunteer.
The presence of fast music during submaximal exercise of 25 minutes
provided a signi cant positive e ect of interaction between the music
track and time of the program, allowing changes of 2.1%, 3.5% and 0.7%
in the variables distance, power and cadence, respectively. In contrast,
MTA: medium temporal area; HRA: hippocampus right area; LTR: left temporal region; RTR:
right temporal region; FLIS: frontal left inferior spin; LP: left precuneus.

Music: a psychophysiological aid to physical exercise and sport
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Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
tions (motivational condition, non-motivational condition and control
condition). The distance covered was of 7.11 km for the motivational
music condition, 6.87 km for the non-motivational music condition and
6.41 km for the control condition. There was a statistically signi cant
di erence between the motivational music condition and the control
condition (P<0.05). Mohammadzadeh, et al.25, in performing the Bruce
test in subjects with di erent levels of  tness, always subjected to the
same music, found signi cant di erences (P<0.05) in perceived exertion
in untrained volunteers between the music (3.82) and no music (4.79)
conditions. No signi cant di erence was found when trained subjects
were compared in the music (3.98) and no music conditions (3.64) (P>
0.05). In addition, time to exhaustion was higher in the condition with
music for both groups but without statistical signi cance.
By comparing  ve conditions related to musical tempo during
maximal incremental cycle ergometer (fast rhythm (FR), slow rhythm
(SR), fast to slow rhythm (FSR), slow to fast rhythm (SFR) and control
(C)), Szabo, et al.27 observed that in the SFR condition the workload
was statistically higher than in all other conditions (P> 0.05). However,
there were no di erences in heart rate and maximum heart rate reserve.
Additionally, the e ciency (power/heart rate reserve) was higher than
for the same condition (SFR) in comparison to others. The results imply
that when faced with the rising di culty of the test, fast music can act
in a positive way to exercise performance, allowing the participant to
achieve a greater workload. According to the aforementioned studies
and data from Table 2, there is an indication that the ergogenic e ect of
music during maximal exercise is related to the longer duration models,
and this e ect seems to have the motivational factors as its primary
mechanism. Studies with the presence of music during short-term
models (e.g.,Wingatetest) are scarce and have not shown signi cant
di erences. The Figure 3 shows an Illustrative description of di erent
experimental conditions from studies and the score of neutral outcomes,
but time-trial conditions can be called as maximal exercise, then the
results obtained can be changed.
Time Trial
A couple of studies that investigated the music and Time Trial in-
teraction were found34,35. By analyzing the results, both studies showed
some type of bene t arising from the use of music (Table 3). In the
study by Lim et al.35, during a10-km time trial, the musical intervention
occurred at di erent times, being in one condition between the start
of the test and the  fth kilometer (M1) and in another condition from
the  fth to the tenth kilometer (M2). The main di erence found was
in the speedduring thetime trial. When the subjects knew that music
would be introduced in the  nal  ve kilometers, they started the trial
with a higher speed (+ 1 to 1.25 km.h-1), and the interaction between
condition and distance showed statistically signi cant di erences in
relation to other conditions (P<0.05). The study by Atkinson et al.34 also
observed e ects on speed, which was statistically superior in the music
condition compared to the condition without music (P<0.05), conse-
quently resulting in a decrease in the total time required to  nish the
test. However, heart rate, perceived exertion and the power generated
during the time trial did not di er signi cantly.
Both studies showed a higher average speed, with no di erences
in perceived exertion and other physiological variables, demonstrating
a positive e ect on the volunteers’pacingstrategy.
Other important factors
Population studied
Overall, we found in this review that the population was composed
of individuals who, even in di erent classi cations, were considered as
physically active, trained and healthy individuals. We observed a trend
in the claims of researchers who showed the greatest expression in
terms of positive e ects in populations with low or non-trained physi-
cal  tness25,49, since in situations of exercise in the moderate to severe
intensity domain, mainly done by volunteers with greater physical
 tness, the theory of parallel processing does not seem to account for
large e ects17,53. The stimuli generated by the music at this intensities
does not seem to be interpreted with the same importance, and thus
have less importance than, for example, their perception of e ort, their
sense of pain or the will to  nish the race as best as possible49. So, a fewer
physical  tness appear as positive aspect capable to increase the ergo-
genic e ect of music while a psychological intervention in exercise54,55.
Type of music
The type of music chosen and used for testing, physical exercise,
and relaxation and to situations of increased aggression seems extremely
crucial to the goal in question30,41. Although there are three possible
hypotheses for the application of music as an ergogenic aid, the indi-
vidual may be motivated by music, be able to synchronize the rhythm
of his stride with it and still process the a erent information in parallel.
Given the importance of musical components, the studies com-
prising this review appear to test one of three theories in particular: the
decoupling hypothesis52, rhythm hypothesis56 or psychomotor hypothe-
sis57. However, according to Karageorghis et al.58, all components (beats
Figure 3. Illustrative description of di erent experimental condi-
tions from studies and the score of neutral outcomes using music
in exercise to each classi cation.

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316 Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
per minute, socio-cultural characteristics, volume, melody, harmony,
language and music preference) should be taken into account. Given
this context, the same author creates the Brunel Music Rating Inven-
tory - 2 (BMRI - 2), which consists of a questionnaire that evaluates the
motivational quality of music for its application as an ergogenic agent
and is very important to take it in consideration in the music choice59.
Type of test / exercise
When we consider the type of test, the choice depends on the
speci c physical ability to be assessed (e.g., isometric strength, cardio-
respiratory  tness and power). From this perspective, the music seems
to in uence more strongly tests/exercises with submaximal characte-
Table 1. E ect of music on submaximal exercise.
Investigators
Waterhouse, et al. (2009)
Shaulov, et al. (2009)
Karageorghis, et al. (2008)
Dyrlund, et al. (2008)
Nakamura, et al. (2008)
Edworthy, et al. (2006)
Yamashita, et al. (2006)
Potteiger, et al. (2000)
Szmedra, et al. (1998)
Brownley, et al. (1995
N
12
28
29
200
10
30
8
27
10
16
Gender
M
14M and 14F
15M and 14F
74M and 126f
6M and 4F
15M 15F
M
14M and 13F
M
4M and 12F
Population
Healthy
Healthy
Healthy
Considered low
risk (ACSM)
Active
Not speci ed
Healthy
Active
Trained
Trained and
untrained
Type of music
Own Choice
Di erent Songs
Own Choice
Favorite and
Least Favorite
Music
Favorite and
Least Favorite
Music
‘The Beiderbec-
ke Connection’
played by
Frank Ricotti
Allstars
Own Choice
Fast Music,
Classical
Music and Own
Choice
Control Condi-
tion andClas-
sical Music
Condition
Fast Music and
Sedative Music
Test type
25 min - in sub-
maximal cycling
Indoor Cycling
Class
26 min walk -
70% HR reserve
20 min walk
27 Km/hr in the
cycle ergometer
at 75rpm
5 sessions of
10 minutes of
walking
Submaximal
cycling for 30
minutes
20 minutes walk
to 70% of VO2
peak
15 minutes at
70% VO2max
Running with
low, moderate
and high inten-
sity
EE?
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Comments
Interaction between the music track
and time (P <0.05), giving di e-
rences of 2.1%, 3.5% and 0.7% in
the variables: distance, power and
cadence, respectively for fast music
and 3.8%, 9.8% and 5.9% in the
same variables for the slow music
condition.
Reported more pleasure and less
tiredness, but the heart rate and
calories found no di erence.
Positive e ects were generated in
the evaluation of some aspects of
motivational music with average
time (P <0.05).
The subjective perception of e ort
and focus of attention showed
no di erence, besides the use of
preferred music to present a greater
dissociation in relation to exercise
(P <0.01).
The mood was in uenced by the
choice of music (P <0.05), but the
performance has not changed.
Association of pace and high volu-
me provided the most signi cant
di erences in the variables of the
running speed and heart rate
(P <0.05).
The music has positively in uenced
performance by decreasing the
perception of stress in lower sub-
maximal exercise intensities (40%
VO2max) (P <0.05).
Each type of music resulted in di e-
rent data regarding the condition
without music(P <0.05), caused by a
distraction mechanism.
Decreased perception of e ort
(10%), blood lactate (22.5%) and ca-
techolamines (17.5%) in the music
condition (P <0.05).
The untrained subjects responded
signi cantly more to music than the
trained (P <0.05).
EE: Ergogenic E ect.

Music: a psychophysiological aid to physical exercise and sport
317
Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
Table 2. E ect of music on maximal exercise.
Investigators
Tat e, et al. (2012)
Biagini, et al. (2012)
Ter r y, et al. (2011)
Nakamura, et al. (2010)
Karageorghis, et al. (2009)
Mohammadzadeh, et al.
(2008)
Eliakim, et al. (2007)
Macone, et al. (2006)
Crust L. (2004)a
Crust L. (2004)b
Bourdeaudhuij, et al.
(2002)
Elliott, et al. (2004)
Yamamoto, et al. (2003)
Szabo, et al. (1999)
Pujol, et al. (1999)
Copeland, et al. (1991)
N
24
20
11
15
30
24
24
27
15
27
30
18
6
24
15.
24
Gender
9M and 15F
M
6M and 5F
M
15M and 15F
18M 6F
12M and 12F
14M and 13F
F
M
10M and 20F
8M and 10F
M
12M and 12F
12M and 13F
11M and 13F
Population
Swimmers
Resistance-trai-
ned college
Triathletes
Healthy
Active
Trained and
untrained
Volleyball
players
Active
Healthy
Healthy
Obese Children
Previous expe-
rience
Healthy
Students
Active
Healthy
Type of music
Self-Select
Self-Select
Motivational and
Synchronized
Favorite Music,
Non-Favorite
Music and
Control
Synchronized
Motivating and
Synchronized
not Motivating
‘Trelinum album
Sash’’
Time after Time:
California Dream
and Heaven
‘Wim Mertens
- Struggle for
Pleasure’’
Familiar and un-
familiar music
Own Choice
Own Choice
Motivational and
Non-motivatio-
nal music
Fast Pace and
Slow Rhythm
Slow, Fast, Fast
to Slow and
Slow to Fast
Equal Length
Music
Fast and Slow
Music
Test type
4 freestyle of 50
meters more a
freestyle of 800
meters
Bench press and
Squat Jump
99% of VO2 peak
until exhaustion
Cycling at 100%
Critical Power to
Exhaustion
Walk to exhaus-
tion
Bruce test
Wingate Test
Walking at 75%
of HR reserve
until exhaustion
BalkeWalking
Test
Isometric task -
shoulder abduc-
tion with elbow
extension
Treadmill test
until exhaustion
12-minute test
on the bike
Supramaximal
cycling in 45
Seconds
Maximal incre-
mental
Wingatetest
Walk / Run to
exhaustion
EE?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Comments
Improvements on performance of
swimmers were found (P<0,05).
Performance was increased (explosive
exercise – power) (P<0,05).
A ect responses and mood has better
outcomes using music (Cohen’s d was
used, showing a good e ect size)
Greater distance as well as lower rate
of perceived exertion for the Favorite
Music condition in relation to Non-
favorite condition (P <0.05).
The motivational synchronized music
demonstrated an ergogenic e ect on
the exercise, increasing the time until
exhaustion (P <0.05).
Signi cant di erence in the perception
of the untrained subjects in music
condition (P <0.05).
Music a ected warm-up condition and
had a bene cial e ect on anaerobic
performance (P<0.05).
Psychological variables had di erent
responses such as: state of anxiety, fa-
tigue, stress, depression and confusion
minimized. Women exercised more
with the presence of music (P<0.05).
No signi cant di erences were detec-
ted (P<0.05).
Greater time to exhaustion in the
subjects who listened to music that
motivated them(P <0.05).
Performance was increased (ran lon-
ger) being a positive e ect on perse-
verance (P<0.05).
Greatest total distance in conditions
with music and signi cant di erences
between motivational music and the
control session (P<0.05).
The norepinephrine concentration was
lower in slow music condition compa-
red to the fast pace (P <0.05) and fast
pace music increased the concentra-
tion of epinephrine compared to slow
music (P <0.05).
In the slow to fast music condition the
results were revealed in the workload
and e ciency (P <0.05).
Average output power, maximum
power, minimum power and fatigue
index showed no signi cant di erence.
Greater time to exhaustion, as well as
lower rate of perceived exertion for
the condition B (slow and low music
volume) compared to the control
condition (P <0.05).
EE: Ergogenic E ect.

Marcelo Bigliassi,
et al.
318 Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
ristics60,61, expressed by increased tolerance to exercise or amount of
work done in the same time, and a possible explanation is given by the
hypothesis of parallel processing, since the submaximal task a erent
signals allows music to compete with the signs of fatigue or pain15. In
sports domain with collective characteristics there is a weak trend from
studies to use this ergogenic agent during training to motivate athletes,
mainly on maximal load day of periodization.
Future prospects
Most studies have demonstrated the positive e ect of music as an
ergogenic aid for physical exercise. This practice is not new, since the
music has been used for a long time, even without scienti c support.
So far, music has shown an ergogenic e ect on performance during
exercise39,54. Studies in several models (for example, isometric and / or
acyclic), protocols (e.g., intermittent, continuous and incremental) and
intensity domains are needed to explain the ergogenic e ect of certain
variables. Additionally, studies of populations from di erent degrees
of physical  tness (e.g., sedentary, active, and trained athletes) are also
important, since the level of physical  tness might in uence the answers.
However, there is a large amount of questions about music as a
possible ergogenic agent. Among them, what is the most important
musical component? Does this ergogenic e ect is really dependent of
physical  tness level? Does the music sync is based on heart rate, rhythm
of pedaling/stride or both? Does high intensity sound can increase
performance due to increased a erent stimulation of the song? Will
the pacing strategy be changed by the music? How does music and
physical exercise are processed in parallel by brain?
Recommendations and orientations
After reviewing the information submitted by the articles that met
our initial inclusion criteria, we found that music acts e ciently as an
ergogenic aid, particularly at submaximal exercise intensities. Although
the mechanisms and assumptions are not fully elucidated, this tool can
be used as a performance enhancer or to minimize the sensation of
fatigue during physical activities, and make its practice more enjoyable.
We must pay attention to the music featuring (type, tempo, pace and
preference), using predominantly the type of music that is more enjo-
yable and motivational for the individual in the performance of physical
activity in question55. Regarding the moment of using the music as an
ergogenic, most studies apply it during the exercise. However, it is not
uncommon to see it been used prior to the competition in the sports
environment. Given the scarcity of studies evaluating the moment of
application, only the ergogenic e ect of music applied during exercise
has a greater volume of evidence, closer to the context related to their
use during physical activities.
Based on the already cited knowledge and in the studies that aimed
to test the music and its e ects in the most several exercise models, we
propose recommendations and orientations for the practice according
to the intensity levels and e ort duration. To submaximal activities always
that possible the music should be used the music simultaneously to
the exercise, this way the possible mechanisms can interfere decreasing
the perception of e ort followed by an increase in the performance9.
Also use the music that please the individual in style and type of music,
always taking in consideration a high volume, but without injuring the
ear, between 75 and 80 decibels16 is enough, aiming to increase the
cerebral stimulus received, it is an important thing to respect, once that
the competition to our brain process will occur during the exercise. Still
aim for music with high beats, around 120 and 140 bpm to exercises
with higher intensity, it will make that your steps in running or the
act of pedal in a cycling synchronize together, making plausible the
staying of your pace stable with a low probability in change your rate
perceived of exertion31, in the case of tasks around 70% of maximum
aerobic capacity, studies have shown that beats around 115 to 125 are
more appropriated58, this can bring synchronizer capacity of music in
activities such as walking and cycling, as said before. Lastly and not less
important chose inspiring music, that will bring good memories and
positive emotion for the practice40, some studies show us that inspira-
tional songs are capable to make us to fatigue less during the exercise
and more, can make the activity to appear less longer47.
The Figure 4 illustrate some possible conditions that music can act
and assist the exercise, increasing arousal or decreasing the anxiety in
previous moment to exercise (warm-up conditions), acting in parallel to
exercise, increasing performance and/or decreasing the rate perceived
Investigators
Lim et al. (2009)
Atkinson et al. (2004)
N
11
16
Table 3. E ect of music in time-trial exercises.
Gender
M
M
Population
Active
Active
Type of music
The "Lucozade Hydro
Active ® Workout
Music"
"Trance" (Tempo =
142 bpm, Volume =
87 dB).
Test type
10-km Time-trial cycling
10-km Time-trial cycling
Comments
The subjects increased their average
speed (from 1 to 1.25 + Km.hr-1) (P
<0.05) in the condition they knew
that music would be introduced
in the last 5 km, and modify their
pacing strategy.
Despite no di erences in the per-
ception, the total time of test was
lower in the condition with music
(P <0.05).
EE?
Yes
Yes
EE: Ergogenic E ect.

Music: a psychophysiological aid to physical exercise and sport
319
Arch Med Deporte 2013;30(5):311-320
exertion/fatigue sensations and making the back to calm more e cient,
speeding up the process to normal physiologic conditions.
Figure 4. Illustrative representation to use music in three exerci-
se conditions.
The recommendations to maximal activities and sports have very
similar orientations, however many times those activities do not allow
making use of the music during it, in this case explore the warm-up time
to use music with motivational purpose, rising the will and the activation
for the practice, also the music can does not change the  nal performan-
ce in maximal activities but can change the fatigue level for example in
training session permitting a good reason to use this ergogenic e ect
without controversial problems. In some cases the music can be used
to decrease the activation and the excitement, reducing the anxiety
and improving the concentration, for such make use of the music with
low beats per minute, around 70 to 80 before or after the exercise, with
relax songs and respecting the same orientation to volume.
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