Music in sport: From conceptual underpinnings to applications

The effects of tempo and loudness variations during warm-up with music on perceived exertion, physical enjoyment and specific performances in male and female taekwondo athletes

“…The ergogenic (work-enhancing) potential of music is mainly based on its motivational properties, the reduction of fatigue perception (via attentional dissociation), and the regulation of affective arousal [ 4 , 5 ], as well as the increase of positive mood, feelings of power, and exercise enjoyment [ 7 , 8 ]. From a neuro-physiological perspective, music has been shown to delay neuromuscular fatigue and increase power production, implying improved muscle efficiency [ 9 ], neural activity [ 7 , 10 ] and recovery state [ 11 ]. Music also promotes auditory-motor synchronization and rhythmic action [ 4 , 11 ], resulting in higher levels of endurance, power, and strength [ 6 , 12 ].…”

“…From a neuro-physiological perspective, music has been shown to delay neuromuscular fatigue and increase power production, implying improved muscle efficiency [ 9 ], neural activity [ 7 , 10 ] and recovery state [ 11 ]. Music also promotes auditory-motor synchronization and rhythmic action [ 4 , 11 ], resulting in higher levels of endurance, power, and strength [ 6 , 12 ]. Overall, Karageorghis et al [ 11 ] developed and validated with both aerobics teachers and exercise participants a 13-item and four-factor structure (association, musicality, cultural impact and rhythm response) accounting for 59.2% of the variance of the psychophysical responses to music listening.…”

“…Music also promotes auditory-motor synchronization and rhythmic action [ 4 , 11 ], resulting in higher levels of endurance, power, and strength [ 6 , 12 ]. Overall, Karageorghis et al [ 11 ] developed and validated with both aerobics teachers and exercise participants a 13-item and four-factor structure (association, musicality, cultural impact and rhythm response) accounting for 59.2% of the variance of the psychophysical responses to music listening. The original conceptual framework predicted that four factors would contribute to the motivational quality of music including association (how an individual interprets music), musicality (melodic and harmonic elements), cultural impact (socio-cultural background) and rhythm response (tempo and accentuation [ 13 ]).…”

“…Although there is a large body of evidence on the benefits of music listening in sport, these findings are not applicable in several sports (e.g., combat sports), since athletes from these modalities are not permitted to listen to music during competitions [ 15 ]. In this regard, it has been speculated that starting a training session or a competition in the best physical and emotional condition is paramount for success [ 11 ]. More specifically, it was shown that music is able to affect the central nervous system in terms of increased attention toward visual and auditory stimuli and more autonomous movements and decreased RPE [ 7 , 10 ].…”

“…More specifically, it was shown that music is able to affect the central nervous system in terms of increased attention toward visual and auditory stimuli and more autonomous movements and decreased RPE [ 7 , 10 ]. Pre-task music has been shown to bring back good memories [ 11 ] and improve athletes’ emotional state and self-efficacy [ 16 ]. An ergogenic effect of pre-task music has been evident on short and predominantly anaerobic tasks, including grip strength, Wingate test peak and mean power, and short-duration sports [e.g., 17].…”