The effects of pre-task music on exercise performance and associated psycho-physiological responses: a systematic review with multilevel meta-analysis of controlled studies

Abstract

This systematic review summarized the studies that examined the pre-task music effects on performance aspects and quantitatively analyzed their outcomes. A systematic search for controlled studies investigating the acute effects of pre-task music on physical performance, cognitive aspects and associated psycho-physiological responses was performed through Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to 17 May 2023, with thirty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data was analyzed using the robust multilevel meta-analysis model of standardized mean difference “SMD” with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and prediction intervals (PI) were reported. Pre-task music induced improvements of completion time (SMD = −0.24; 95% CI = −0.46 to −0.01; PI = −0.82 to 0.35; p = 0.04), relative mean power (RMP) (SMD = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.60; PI = −0.36 to 1.12; p = 0.003) and fatigue (SMD = −0.20; 95% CI = −0.32 to −0.09; PI = −0.36 to −0.05; p = 0.01), moderate effects on relative peak power (RPP) (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.85; PI = −0.42 to 1.48; p = 0.005), and high effect on feeling scale (FS) (SMD = 2.42; 95% CI = 0.52 to 4.31; PI = −11.43 to 16.26; p = 0.03). Greater benefits were recorded in jumping performance in males than females (p = 0.01), and for active than trained subjects for completion time (p = 0.02), RPP (p = 0.02) and RMP (p = 0.03). Larger benefits were obtained for FS post-warming up than after testing (p = 0.04). Self-selected music induced greater effects than pseudo- and pre-selected for performance decrement index (p = 0.05) and FS (p = 0.02). It could be concluded that pre-task music improved psychological responses and fatigue-related symptoms associated with exercise performance enhancement.

Warm-up music and low-dose caffeine enhance the activity profile and psychophysiological responses during simulated combat in female taekwondo athletes

“…However, CAF 13,14 and warm-up music 63 ergogenic potentials have been established through the menstrual cycle. Because the most common symptoms experienced during the menstrual cycle are mood changes/anxiety, and tiredness/fatigue 64 , such results may be reasonable since CAF and music commonly serve to regulate affective and neuromuscular responses 9,26,60 Although the present study provides unique and interesting findings to female athletes, some limitations should be declared. In fact, no neurological or hormonal measurements were conducted to explain the mechanisms under the synergetic effect of CAF and warm-up music.…”

“…It has been reported that the ergogenic potential of CAF on taekwondo specific performance is dependent on competition level, with greater benefits in elite than sub-elite athletes 45 . For warm-up music, recent meta-analysis revealed that this stimulus present greater effects in highly trained subjects than less trained ones regarding psychological responses and the reverse for physical performances 26 . Since participants in the present study are elite athletes, their greater responses to the CAF + M condition may be related to complementary actions by CAF and music at the central and peripheral levels 23 .…”

“…Since it serves as a psychological ergogenic aid, music has been reported to improve affective balance, behavior, and cognitive skills associated with physical performance enhancement 24 , 25 . Interestingly, applying musical stimulus prior to exercise has received significant interest in the field of music research 26 . This is largely a function of the restrictions imposed on the use of audio devices during competition in different sports, and more specifically in taekwondo contests 27 .…”

“…This is largely a function of the restrictions imposed on the use of audio devices during competition in different sports, and more specifically in taekwondo contests 27 . In this regard, warm-up music can be effective in delaying fatigue, and improving affective state associated with physical performance enhancement, especially, when the stimulus is self-selected 26 . However, such findings cannot be generalized between sexes, since the responsiveness to warm-up music intervention is often greater within male compared with female athletes 27 , 28 .…”

“…Given the significant differences in biology and behavior between genders, such inferences are not acceptable 30 . Whilst CAF 18 and warm-up music 26 benefits on female athletes have received only limited research attention, their synergistic effects have not been studied. Therefore, the present study investigated the acute effects of low dose of CAF and preferred warm-up music on the subsequent female taekwondo athletes’ responses during simulated combats.…”