Effects of music tempo vs. beat frequency on exercise intensity

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine which component of music; percussion or beat was most influential on exercise intensity while cycling. Methods: Fifteen subjects (10 women, 5 men) performed four trials on a cycle ergometer with different musical conditions. The subjects listened to full music (FM), percussion (P), beat (B), and 0-Tempo (N) with varying tempo during four different 30 minute rides. The control condition was thrown out. Power output (PO), heart rate (HR), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were measured during each ride. Results: The results found no significant differences in PO with FM, P, and B (p=0.236). Heart rate was significantly higher with the FM ride compared to both P and B (p=0.012). There was no significant difference in RPE between the three conditions (p=0.731). PO, HR, and RPE all showed significant increase with the increase in tempo (p<0.001). Conclusion: Power output did not differ significantly between FM, P, and B. Heart rate increases significantly more with FM than P or B. RPE does not show changes between conditions. These findings may be due mostly to synchronization of the music to pedal cadence. HR may increase more with FM due to increased arousal.