Does Running With Music Increase Performance?

Does running with music increase performance?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The evidence suggests that running with music can indeed enhance performance, primarily through psychological and emotional benefits. Preferred and motivational music, in particular, can improve running speed, distance, and emotional states, while also lowering perceived exertion. However, the type, intensity, and timing of the music, as well as individual preferences, play crucial roles in determining the extent of these benefits. Further research is needed to explore these variables in more detail and to develop personalized music strategies for optimal performance enhancement.

The relationship between music and athletic performance has been a subject of interest for researchers and athletes alike. Music is often used as a motivational tool during exercise, but its actual impact on running performance remains a topic of investigation. This article explores whether running with music can enhance performance, drawing on findings from multiple research studies.

Effects of Music on Running Performance

Enhanced Performance and Emotional States

Several studies have demonstrated that music can positively influence running performance and emotional states. For instance, a study by Bigliassi et al.1 found that listening to music during a 5-km run improved performance times and activated the prefrontal cortex, leading to positive emotional outcomes. Similarly, another study reported that both self-selected and specially designed music increased pleasant emotions and decreased unpleasant emotions, which were associated with enhanced running performance2.

Preferred Music and Performance

Listening to preferred music has been shown to improve running performance without altering pacing patterns. A study involving young male adults found that preferred music led to a significant increase in total distance covered and running speed during a 6-minute run test3. This suggests that the motivational qualities of preferred music can enhance performance.

Psychological and Psychophysiological Benefits

The asynchronous use of music, where the music tempo does not match the runner’s pace, has also been found to improve running performance through psychological benefits. A mediation analysis revealed that the positive effects of music on running distance were mediated by improved affective valence, or the emotional response to the music4.

Music Intensity and Performance

The intensity of the music can also play a role in performance enhancement. High-intensity music has been associated with increased running speed and decreased perceived exertion, although the evidence is mixed and further research is needed to fully understand the impact of musical intensity on performance5.

Music Type and Running Perseverance

Different types of music can have varying effects on running perseverance and coping with effort sensations. A study examining the effects of rock, dance, and inspirational music found that while music did not significantly influence heart rate or perceived exertion, it was perceived as beneficial by many participants, particularly at the beginning of the run6.

Synchronous Music in Challenging Conditions

Listening to synchronous music, where the music tempo matches the runner’s pace, has been shown to provide psychophysiological benefits in challenging conditions. For example, a study found that synchronous music significantly extended time-to-exhaustion and lowered perceived exertion during running in hot and humid conditions7.

Self-Selected Motivational Music

Self-selected motivational music has been found to lower perceived exertion and improve performance time, although the improvements were not always statistically significant. This suggests that the ergogenic qualities of motivational music can enhance performance while making the effort feel less strenuous8.

Music Tempo and Running Cadence

Music tempo can spontaneously influence running cadence, which is important for preventing running-related injuries. A study demonstrated that imperceptible shifts in music tempo could significantly impact running cadence, with stronger effects observed in female participants9.

Timing of Music

The timing of music, whether during warm-up or exercise, can also affect performance. Listening to preferred music during exercise was found to be more beneficial for optimal performance compared to listening during the warm-up or not at all10.

Does running with music increase performance?

Marcelo Bigliassi has answered Likely

An expert from Florida International University in Psychophysiology, Neuroscience

The short answer to this question is possibly “yes.” Although some people may experience performance detriments while exercising in the presence of music, the majority of individuals tend to benefit from the use of music during sport- and exercise-related tasks. Of course, the effects of music on exercise performance are influenced by a wide range of factors such as physical fitness, musical components, exercise intensity, modality, complexity, etc. But generally speaking, motivational pieces of music have the potential to redirect attention outwardly, reduce processing of interoceptive sensory cues, evoke positive emotional reactions, optimize the neural control of working muscles, and enhance exercise performance.

Does running with music increase performance?

Edith Van Dyck has answered Likely

An expert from Ghent University in Musicology, Psychology

Music listening during sports and exercise is believed to capture attention, distract from fatigue and discomfort, prompt and alter mood states, enhance work output, increase arousal, relieve stress, stimulate rhythmic movement, and evoke a sense of power and produce power-related cognition and behaviour. As such, it can improve running performance. However, this is not the case for all types of music and all runners. Music preference has been shown to be very individual and it does not make sense to listen to music you do not like. Some don’t even like to listen to music at all while exercising. Also, the characteristics (e.g., tempo, metre, …) of the music are important, since not all types of music will generate the same effects. And although, generally, music in binary time signatures, in rather fast tempi (or better: in the same tempo of the exercise, or slightly higher), with enough energy and clear beats, etc. often obtains the best results overall, again, this also interacts with music preference. Besides, other factors might play a role as well, such as the strenuousness of the activity, as music generally starts to loose its power when the activity becomes too heavy. To conclude: music can improve performance, but the actual impact depends on the preferences of the runner, the characteristics of the music, as well as the exercise itself.