Does music have an effect on your exercise performance? There are individuals who believe that music helps motivate them during a workout. And fitness experts agree.

“Music can reduce the perception of effort significantly and increase endurance by as much as 15 percent,” says Costas Karageorghis, Ph.D., from London’s Brunel University School of Sport and Education.

Upbeat Music, Fast-Paced Workout

A study presented by the American Council on Exercise tested participants in both speed walking and cycling groups. In the speed-walking group, individuals who exercised to music were found to have increased their stride frequency, as opposed to those who did not work out to music.

In the study of the cycling group, the participants’ music selection was varied in tempo. The main outcome showed that the faster the tempo, the higher the intensity of the workout. The study also experimented with various genres of music in order to see if there was a difference in response. The results showed that the tempo was more important than the actual genre. As the intensity of the music increased, so did the individuals’ motivation to keep up with the music.

Your Personal Playlist

Therefore, when making a music selection, consider the relationship between the activity and the pace you wish to maintain. Quick-paced music will motivate you to move faster or work at a higher intensity. In the end, use music to make the activity more productive and enjoyable.

About the Author

Georgelena Saborio is an exercise physiologist and supervisor for the Employee Fitness Department at Baptist Health South Florida, a position she has held for 10 years. Ms. Saborio received her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine. At Baptist Health, she provides and oversees all fitness events and the Employee Fitness centers. She has served as a member of the Chamber South Wellness Committee for four years, assisting and providing fitness programs and education to its members and the community.