Music Increases Exercise Performance by 15%
 By Dr. Mercola

Simple Way to Improve Your Exercise Performance by 15%

Music use by exercisers and sports enthusiasts is quite commonplace and this pleasurable addition can actually help make your workout more effective by allowing you to work out even harder. Different types of musical scores elicit different emotions, such as joy or melancholy for example, and certain types of music can motivate you to run faster, or keep going even though you're fatigued.

I find that music is an amazingly effective motivation to push me to work out at a higher level, and the research bears this out as well.

A new study published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist found that responses to certain music may have an enhancement effect by either reducing perceptions of fatigue or increasing work capacity with higher than expected levels of endurance, power, productivity or strength. To get the most benefits, the "right" music has to be chosen, and researchers determined the most effective music for exercise should be:
•Functional for the activity (rhythm should match up with your movements)
•Selected with desired effects in mind (loud, fast, percussive music with a lot of bass will increase arousal, slower music will help you unwind, cool down, etc.)
•Accompanied by lyrics associated with movement, such as "the only way is up"
•Within the tempo band of 125-140 beats per minute for most people

You needn't get bogged down with the details, however, as selecting music is a highly personal and intuitive process. When a song gets you energized and rearing to go, you'll know it, and these are the types of songs you should add to your workout playlist.

Studies have shown that listening to music while exercising can increase your endurance by 15 percent, and your movement will likely follow the tempo of the song. For instance, in one study when the music's tempo slowed, the subjects' exertion level reduced as well. And when the tempo was increased, their performance followed suit. Your body may be simply responding to the beat on a more or less subconscious level, but the type and tempo of the music you choose while working out may also influence your conscious motivation.

And together, the synchronization of moving to the beat along with being motivated by the music itself allows it to do its magic.

Studies have shown that listening to music while exercising can increase your endurance by 15 percent, and your movement will likely follow the tempo of the song. For instance, in one study when the music's tempo slowed, the subjects' exertion level reduced as well. And when the tempo was increased, their performance followed suit. Your body may be simply responding to the beat on a more or less subconscious level, but the type and tempo of the music you choose while working out may also influence your conscious motivation.

And together, the synchronization of moving to the beat along with being motivated by the music itself allows it to do its magic.



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