Listening to Preferred and Loud Music Enhances Taekwondo Physical Performances in Adolescent Athletes

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of warm-up music preference and loudness on physical performance, perceived exertion (RPE), and enjoyment in young taekwondo athletes. In a crossover counterbalanced design, 20 taekwondo athletes (10 male, 10 female) performed a battery of physical tasks specific to taekwondo under the following five conditions: (a) No music (NM), (b) Preferred music-Soft (60 dB; PMS), (c) Preferred music-Loud (80 dB; PML), (d) Non-preferred music-Soft (60 dB; NPMS), and (e) Non-preferred music-Loud (80 dB; NPML). On each lab visit, participants completed a taekwondo-specific agility test (TSAT), a10-second kick test (KSKT-10s) and a multiple frequency speed of kick tests (FSKT) within each music condition. Pre-exercise enjoyment was assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) after the warm-up, while we obtained RPE scores after each test. The PML condition resulted in significantly better agility test times on the TSAT compared to PMS ( p < .001), and NPML ( p < .001). Furthermore, PML led to a greater number of total kicks during the FSKT-10s test compared to the PMS ( p < .001), and NPML ( p < .001) conditions. The decrement index on the FSKT was lower in PML than in PMS and NPML conditions ( p < .001). For RPE, values were significantly lower with preferred than non-preferred music ( p < .001). These findings lend support to ergogenic benefits of listening to PML prior to taekwondo physical tasks, with important implications for enhancing taekwondo training and performance.

Influence of music on the hearing and mental health of adolescents and countermeasures

“…This stage of life, commonly known as adolescence, is viewed as a crucial period for psychological, social, and cognitive development; the role of music within this framework is significant. As per the research conducted by Ouergui et al (2023) , youth display a high frequency of interaction and deep engagement with music. In the contemporary digital age, music is ubiquitous.…”

“…Esthetic studies illustrate that music can trigger profound emotional experiences and spiritual exchanges and offer beauty appreciation. Education research suggests that music education can enhance holistic adolescent development, including intellectual, emotional, social, and moral dimensions ( Ouergui et al, 2023 ). Thus, we should motivate teenagers to choose music of high esthetic and educational value, including classical music, ethnic music, and world music.…”

Acute effects of plyometric-based conditioning activity and warm-up music stimuli on physical performance and affective state in male taekwondo athletes

“…Therefore, the reported results generated by their combination are not surprising, since the physical abilities and psychological aspects are interrelated and affect each other ( 27 ). In fact, under preferred conditions, warm-up music may increase the anticipatory response to exercise ( 25 ), resulting in increased effort and muscular force development ( 19 , 20 ). In this consideration, listening to music during a warm-up session has been shown to increase plasma catecholamine concentrations, which may promote muscular activation, shift blood flow toward skeletal muscles, and modify metabolic reactions during afterward exercise ( 41 ).…”

“…In combat sports, evidences regarding potential benefits from listening to warm-up music are limited. In TKD, research has revealed that warm-up music improves performances and reduced fatigue index during specific tasks ( 24 , 25 ), with greater benefits using preferred than non-preferred music ( 25 ). Moreover, tempo of the listened music has been reported to modulate music motivational quality ( 26 ).…”

“…Although CA ( 9 , 10 , 15 ) and warm-up music ( 24 , 25 ) have been shown independently to impart benefits on TKD performance, whether their combined effects provide further enhancement is unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the acute combined effects of CA and listening to music during warm-up on the subsequent physical performance and associated psychological responses in TKD athletes.…”