Let the Music Play! - How Fast and Slow Beat Music Influences Rowing Performance and Regeneration

31 März 2022

Abstract:

Listening to different kinds of music while being engaged in any physical activity is common, in the past as well as in the present. Sailors sang a variety of shanties while working, dragon boats have a drummer, gyms show music videos and during some indoor competitions background music is played. Usually, leisure as well as professional athletes use music during training sessions, or pre-competition. While some athletes might use music intuitively in their training, research shows that it can help to regulate emotions, arousal, and perceived exertion. Until now, there is evidence that listening to music can enhance performance outcomes in open loop submaximal exercises. However, the evidence regarding closed loop exercises is still porous. The aim of this study was (a) bridge the gap of lacking evidence on music and closed loop exercise (b) explore how music influences rowing performance and regeneration as well as (c) examine which physiological parameters might change according to the type of music. In total, N = 21 sport students participated in the study. Divided into two groups, they exercised twice. During the first examination, they heard fast music (120-150 bpm) or slow music (< 60 bpm), the second was vice versa. Results were analyzed with paired T-Test and Wilcoxon sign-rank tests and indicated significant differences in total time (p = 0.018, r = 0.52), heart rate (HR) (p = 0.028, r = 0.42) and lactate values (p = 0.042, d_z = 0.4). It was striking that no differences regarding the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) could be seen. On the contrary, slower music has had a positive effect on regeneration. These results indicate that fast rhythm music may be blocking physiological cues in attentional processes during interval exercises. The collected data shows for the first time that independently of the subjective perception of the load, different types of music do have an impact on performance and regeneration parameters during and after closed-loop high-intensity exercises.

Zu finden unter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEUPZlnE_a4