Music is believed to improve athletic performance. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of arousing music during warm-up on anaerobic performance in elite national level adolescent volleyball players. Twenty-four players (12 males and 12 females) performed the Wingate Anaerobic Test following a 10-minute warm-up with and without music (two separate occasions, random order). During warm-up with music, mean heart rate was significantly higher. Following the warm-up with music, peak anaerobic power was significantly higher in all volleyball players (10.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 11.1 +/- 0.3 Watts/kg, p < 0.05, without and with music, respectively). Gender did not influence the effect of music on peak anaerobic power. Music had no significant effect on mean anaerobic output or fatigue index in both genders. Music affects warm-up and may have a transient beneficial effect on anaerobic performance.

The effects of music played during an exercise task on athletic performance have been previously studied. Yet, these results are not applicable for competitive athletes, who can use music only during warm-up or recovery from exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of motivational music (music that stimulates or inspires physical activity) during recovery from intense exercise, on activity pattern, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate concentration. Twenty young, active men (mean age 26.2 ± 2.1 years) performed a 6-minute run at peak oxygen consumption speed (predetermined from the VO(2) max test). The mean heart rate (HR), RPE, number of steps (determined by step counter), and blood lactate concentrations were determined at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 minutes during the recovery from the exercise, with and without motivational music (2 separate sessions, at random order). There was no difference in the mean HR during the recovery with and without music. Listening to motivational music during the recovery was associated with increased voluntary activity of the participants, determined by increased number of steps (499.4 ± 220.1 vs. 413.2 ± 150.6 steps, with and without music, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). The increased number of steps during the recovery was accompanied by a significantly greater decrease in blood lactate concentration percentage (28.1 ± 12.2 vs. 22.8 ± 10.9%, with and without music, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). This was associated with a greater decrease in RPE (77.7 ± 14.4 vs. 73.1 ± 14.7% with and without music, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). Our results suggest that listening to motivational music during nonstructured recovery from intense exercise leads to increased activity, faster lactate clearance, and reduced RPE and therefore may be used by athletes in their effort to enhance recovery.

Motivational music (music that stimulates physical activity) was previously shown to enhance the recovery from intense exercise. The aim of the present study was to isolate the effect of rhythm (presumed to be the most effective factor of motivational music) on the recovery from intense exercise. Ten young adult active men (age: 26.1 ± 1.7 years) performed 6-minute run at peak oxygen consumption speed, at 3 separate visits (random order). At 1 visit, no music was played during the recovery after exercise. In the other visits, participants listened to motivational music that was previously shown to enhance recovery (a Western CD collection of greatest hits of all times converted to dance style, 140 b·min, strong bit, played by portable MP3 device using headphones at a volume of 70 dB) or only to the rhythm beats derived from the same songs. Mean heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), number of steps (measured by step counter) and blood lactate concentrations were determined at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 minutes of the recovery. There was no difference in HR changes during the recovery at all conditions. Compared with the recovery without music, listening to motivational music during recovery was associated with significant greater number of steps, lower absolute lactate levels, and greater mean decrease of RPE. Listening only to rhythm beats, derived from the same music, during the recovery was associated with significant greater number of steps and lower absolute lactate levels compared to recovery without music. Music was significantly more effective than rhythm only in the absolute mean number of steps. The beneficial effect of both music and rhythm was greater toward the end of the recovery period. Results suggest that listening to music during nonstructured recovery can be used by professional athletes to enhance recovery from intense exercise. Rhythm plays a very important role in the effect of music on recovery and can be used to enhance nonstructured recovery when music is unavailable or when cultural barriers and individual music preferences may apply. The optimal music and rhythm selection is yet to be determined.

We examined the effect of motivational music on repeated sprint ability (RSA) in a full squad of junior top national level league basketball players. Participants performed two repeated sprint tests (RSTs), with and without motivational music, at random order, during the end of the basketball season. The RST included 12 X 20 m runs departing every 20 s. There were no significant differences in ideal sprint time, total sprint time and performance decrement between RST with or without music. However, when we compared each sprint during the RST, the last two sprints (sprints number 11 and 12) were significantly faster with, compared to without, music (p<0.01). We conclude that music led to improved sprint performance towards the end of RST, suggesting, probably, beneficial effect mainly on aerobic components of repeated sprint ability. Therefore, music can be used during basketball training, hoping that improved training ability will convert also to better game performance.

The present study examined whether background music improves aerobic and anaerobic performance in overweight children. Eleven participants (14.6±1.5 yrs, BMI%: 94.3±6.5) performed aerobic (20m Shuttle Run) and anaerobic (repeated sprint test – RST) field tests. Ten participants (12.0±2.1 yrs, BMI%:97.4±1.6) performed aerobic (treadmill running) and anaerobic (Wingate Anaerobic Test – WAnT) laboratory tests. Treadmill running time was significantly longer with, compared to without, music (11.9±1.5 versus 10.6±2.2 min, respectively; p<0.007). There was no significant difference in the 20m shuttle run distance with or without music. Total sprint time was significantly faster during RST with, compared to without, music (47.7±4.7 versus 48.5±5.5 s, respectively; p<0.04), with no significant difference in ideal sprint time and performance decrement. There was no significant difference in peak and mean anaerobic power and fatigue index during the WAnT with and without music. Motivational music may be used to improve aerobic and anaerobic performance among overweight children.