For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when the topic of enhanced exercise or athletic performance is brought up is the use of supplements or substances. But what if something besides chemical supplements could improve athletic performance? New research shows that there is indeed another method that can give a competitive edge to athletes or people who work out, and that would be music. I’m sure this is nothing new for people involved in sports because most athletes know the ritual of listening to music during warmups and getting pumped up from it. However, research is showing that music actually helps improve performance a lot more than people would expect. Music is typically associated with distracting people from the pain of running that extra mile or other demanding physical activity, but recent studies show that the music isn’t just distracting us, it seems to actually improve the focus and abilities of individuals.

Two factors, volume and tempo, most affect how music enhances our athletic performance. When I go on runs, I have to make a playlist of fast tempo songs, because I know I won’t be as motivated if a slow song was to come on. A study done by Judy Edworthy and Hannah Waring at the University of Plymouth studied the effects of these variables. It tested “30 “physically active” participants in five conditions (loud/fast, loud/slow, quiet/fast, quiet/slow, and no music) at a self-selected pace for 10min on a treadmill” (Davis). The result of the study demonstrated that different variables did in fact have in impact on the individual’s heart rates and speeds. The high volumes and fast tempos allowed the people to run faster on the treadmill.

A similar study looked at music’s effects on subjects during a 10-kilometer cycling time trial. “When music was played, cyclists completed the time trial in an average of 1,030 seconds; when music wasn’t being played average time was 1,052 seconds, a statistically and practically significant difference.” (Hoffman) The heart rate and times of the 16 individuals who were listening to music were clearly enhanced.

So why does listening to music improve athletic performance? There is actually scientific reasoning behind it. According to neurologist, Dr. Marie Pasinski, “Music’s impact is that multiple areas of the brain are involved in listening to music. In addition to the auditory cortex, the part of the brain involved in hearing, the motor cortex (involved in movement) and the cerebellum (involved in coordination) also light up when you hear music. Pasinski says tunes of about 130 beats per minute are typically considered ideal exercise accompaniment” (Greene). These studies have shown that listening to fast tempo, loud, or enjoyable music causes the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination to light up, tricking our body into moving faster. Music boosts confidence, motivates, and causes positive thoughts, all of which allow a person to train or workout harder.