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

Abstract

The ergogenic effect of pre-selected warm-up music with the tempo and loudness variations on the performance of combat sports’ athletes as well as the difference between sexes is not well established. The present study aimed to assess the effects of listening to music with different tempos and loudness during warm-up on perceived exertion, physical enjoyment and physical performances in young taekwondo athletes. In a randomized study design, 20 taekwondo athletes (10 males, mean ± SD: age: 17.5 ± 0.7 years, taekwondo experience: ≥ 6 year) performed the taekwondo specific agility test (TSAT) and the 10s and multiple frequency speed of kick test (FSKT-10s and FSKT-mult) after warming-up with or without music. The music was played at high (140 beats·min-1) or very high (200 beats·min-1) tempo combined with low (60 dB) or high (80 dB) loudness, resulting in four experimental and control conditions. The ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) were assessed after each condition. After normality, homogeneity and sphericity checks, two-way (or multivariate) analysis of variance and Bonferrroni (or Friedman’s and Wilcoxon’s test) post-hoc test were operated when necessary. For TSAT, 140 beats·min-1+80 dB induced better performance compared with 200 beats·min-1+80 dB, 200 beats·min-1+60 dB, control and the 140 beats·min-1+60 dB conditions. For FSKT-10s, 140 beats·min-1+80 dB condition induced higher performance compared with 200 beats·min-1+60 dB, 200 beats·min-1+80 dB, 140 beats·min-1+60 dB and the control conditions. For FSKT-mult, 140 beats·min-1+80 dB induced higher number of techniques compared with 200 beats·min-1+60 dB, 140 beats·min-1+60 dB, control and the 200 beats·min-1+80 dB conditions. Moreover, 140 beats·min-1+80 dB induced lower decrement index (DI) compared with the other conditions and lower DI in 140 beats·min-1+60 dB compared with 200 beats·min-1+80 dB and control conditions. Moreover, 140 beats·min-1+80 dB resulted in greater PACES scores compared with 200 beats·min-1+80 dB and control conditions. Better performance was found for males compared with females in TSAT, FSKT-10s and FSKT-mult (i.e., techniques’ number), as well as lower DI and higher RPE post-FSKT-10s. Pre-selected warm-up music played at 140 beats·min-1 and 80 dB is an efficient strategy to enhance physical activity enjoyment and specific performances in taekwondo.

Combined Effects of Listening to Preferred Music and Video Feedback, during Warm-Up, on Physical Performance in Young Kickboxers

“…Another important outcome from this study was that the combined music and video feedback condition, as well as just video feedback, improved the feeling scale after the tests compared to the control condition. These results are consistent with previous research that showed a significant improvement of positive mood and motivation during aerobic and anaerobic exercise after listening to music or video feedback [24,[42][43][44]. However, it seems that a combination of both music and video feedback enhanced the feeling scale even more after the tests.…”

“…Just listening to fast (140 beats/min) and loud (80 dB) music during warm-up has been shown by Ouergui et al [24] to enhance kicking performance during the 10 s and multiple 10 sec kicking test in taekwondo athletes. Other studies [22,24] also indicated that the use of preferred music with a fast tempo (>140 beats/min) presents an effective strategy to improve physical performance, probably due to the motivational self-regulation of the music [22,23]. Due to the earlier findings of the positive effects on performance by the use of music during the warm-up, this condition was not included in the present study.…”

“…To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the combined effect of listening to preferred music and video feedback on emotional responses during physical activity. However, separate studies have reported that music or video feedback results in a greater positive feeling during exercise [43,45], increasing intrinsic motivation [2] and mood state [24,43]. Therefore, it can be concluded that listening to preferred music improved physical performance more than the video feedback condition during warm-up.…”

“…Besides video feedback, previous studies reported that listening to music during warm-up can also enhance physical performance [21][22][23][24]. In fact, the ergogenic effects of listening to music on physical performance, based on its motivational strategy, is attributed to the delayed perception of afferent signals related to neurological fatigue [25], improving muscular efficiency [26], neural activity [27], positive mood [22], attention [28], and selfefficacy [29].…”

“…For example, Ouergui et al [24] observed that pre-selected warm-up music, using Brunel Music Rating Inventory 2 [30], enhances physical activity enjoyment and physical performances in taekwondo athletes. They reported that listening to music, using a fast tempo (140 beats/min) and high volume (80 dB) during warm-up, was more effective at improving physical performance and the frequency of kicking speed compared to conditions with less volume (+60 dB) or music with much higher tempo (200 beats/min) and control conditions.…”