How a workout playlist can improve your performance, according to studies

Have you noticed that music helps you have more energy in the gym? Well, know that science can explain the positive effects of a workout playlist

Whether you are interested in bodybuilding, spinning, yoga, Crossfit, running or any other modality, opt for a good workout playlist According to studies, it can have a huge influence on physical performance.

Research on the relationship between music and exercise isn’t very extensive, but factors like the type of song, the workout you do, and even your attitude towards the songs played can influence your performance in the gym.

Benefits of the workout playlist, based on health

First, it’s important to remember that while motivation is the greatest force behind doing something, it’s also fleeting. In fact, consistency and discipline (i.e. setting yourself up for success) often have a greater impact than motivation alone.

In other words: you don’t want to place the responsibility for all your motivations on music. This is because research suggests using music as a way to better engage with your exercise routine and enjoy the act of movement itself, not that it, in itself, is a determining motivational factor.

That said, here are some positive effects you can achieve with a workout playlist:

BPM can affect your pace and energy

Have you ever found yourself walking down the street to the music playing in your headphones? The beats per minute (BPM) of the music you listen to can affect the cadence (also known as rotation speed) of your walk, run, or bike ride. So if you train at a faster pace, you will naturally speed up your running.

On the other hand, a song with a slow tempo can lead to a slow, unhurried pace. This is because the beats light up the motor areas of the brain, responsible for planning, controlling and executing voluntary movements. When these areas are activated, they stimulate the body to move to the beat of music, according to a study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Additionally, as one researcher found, fast-paced music can be more psychologically motivating than calm music. study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine in which participants completed 10km cycling while listening to high-tempo music at 142 BPM or no music. The results: Faster music resulted in a 2% improvement in speed, and participants also rated the tempo and pace of the music as more motivating. So whether you’re trying to hit a certain pace while running or want to hit the suggested cadence in a cycling class, choose music at your desired pace.

Music can help you enjoy HIIT more

A small 2016 study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences challenged 20 people to try HIIT-style running. The researchers found that when sprinters listened to music during their workout, they had a better overall outlook on HIIT at the end of the workout than when they didn’t listen to music. Although none of the participants had a negative outlook on HIIT at the end of the experiment, the researchers found that when people listened to music, they had a better overall outlook on high-intensity training once the workout was finished.

Choosing your own music is important

Have you ever put on a generic playlist and found yourself skipping track after track? If so, you probably already know that personalized workout playlists, no matter how long, can make a big difference in making you truly enjoy your workout routine. A 2015 study of 31 men showed that those who curated their playlists experienced noticeable strength gains. The researchers observed that those who had the opportunity to listen to their playlist during exercise had a significant increase in the number of bench press repetitions compared to those who did not listen to music.

Music can reduce fatigue during exercise or make you better able to cope

No surprises here: training with music that really energizes you is the best option if you’re about to start a challenging workout. A study published in 2010 gathered 26 participants and asked them to perform six circuit exercises with three different types of music: motivational (consisting of 120 BPM pop songs), neutral (determined by the participant’s rating of motivational qualities), and one metronome control (which makes audible clicks that match the beats at the selected tempo). The study found that listening to motivational music was related to participants completing more repetitions.

Headphones for physical activities

We’ve selected some headphones that will help you take advantage of the benefits your workout playlist has to offer for your performance and health.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.