Effects of music on time trial performance

Abstract

Purpose: Exercise, particularly higher intensity or competitive exercise, depends on the interaction of a template or plan. This plan determines how to go about the exercise and feedback from the body determines how the exercise bout is affecting the body. In well-trained people the interaction between template and feedback is very sophisticated, and allows exercise performance to be optimized. The 'language', which the brain apparently speaks in terms of this template and feedback, can be understood in terms of Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Motivational music has generally been shown to augment exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to determine if motivation music, used as a strategy to manipulate the template-feedback system, during a cycle time trial, will change performance. Methods: (N=18) mean age= 27.6 +/- 8.7 well-trained cyclists performed two randomly assigned 10km cycle time trials, either listening to self-selected motivational music or control trial. A variety of performance markers (power output, HR, blood lactate, RPE) were monitored. Results: Self-selected motivation music had no affect on HR 174.1 +/- 11.3 and 171.8 +/- 10.4, power output 222 +/- 66 and 220 +/- 65, RPE 8.4 +/- 1.5 and 8.5 +/- 1.6, blood lactate 8.2 +/- 3.6 and 8.2 +/- 3.5 or time 17.75 +/- 2.1 and 17.81 +/- 2.06 (p>.05). Conclusion: The results show no significant difference in time trial responses relative to the presence of music.