Effects of contemporary rock and roll music on duration, VO2, blood pressure, heart rate and perceived exertion in females aged 18-31 years

Abstract

Three sub maximal exercise tests were performed on a sample of 27 graduate and undergraduate level students to determine the effects of fast and slow rock and roll music on certain physiological parameters. Oxygen consumption (VO) and duration (D) were measured with the assistance of a Beckmann Metabolic Measurement Cart (BMMC). A modified CMS lead system was used and heart rate (HR) was recorded on a Burdick electrocardiogram. Rated Perceived Exertion-(RPE) was indicated by a Borg perceived exertion scale and blood pressure (BP) was determined using a mercury sphygmomanometer. The three experimental conditions were no music (NM), slow rock and roll music (SRM), and fast rock and roll music (FRM). One condition was randomly assigned for each test. The subjects ran on a treadmill until they reached 80% of their age-predicted maximum HR. The variables were analyzed by a one way ANOVA with repeated measures at the p<.05 level of significance. A Scheffe' test was used when significant F-ratios were obtained to determine which pairs of treatment groups differed. HR was significantly higher during the second and fifth stages of the exercise protocol in the FRM condition compared to the SRM condition. VO was significantly lower during the fourth stage in the SRM condition compared to the NM condition. Finally, D was highly significant with the Ss running longer during the SRM condition than either the FRM or NM conditions. Future studies need to be done in this area to determine how different types of music and different test termination points influence these physiological parameters.