Listening to Music While Taking Physical Exercises - Assignment Example

Music and Physical Exercises Name Institution Introduction Studies have shown that listening to music while taking physical exercises can lead to better performance quality (Terry et al (2011; Dons, 2009). According to Dons (2009), music elicits short-term and long-term endurance and work rate. Saha (2012) suggests that the three short-term psychophysical impacts generated are arousal control, reduced perception of exertion and mood enhancement. This article investigates the quantitative effects and qualitative experiences capable of enhancing performance, using synchronised music while running. The songs selected consisted were from different genre including jazz, hip-hop, symphony, and blues. I played the music at tempo ranging from a slow pace of 90 bpm to a fast pace of 200 bpm. The investigation was done using a music portable player (in this case a smartphone). The rationale for using a portable music player was to promote the feeling of centeredness. Indeed, in reflecting an investigative process using the Brunel Music Rating Inventory, Dons (2009) suggested that portable music players facilitate the process of being “cocooned, where one separates the outside world from the inside one to fully experience the latter. I played the each song using headphones connected a smartphone at between 50 and 60 dB levels of loudness. I used Brunel Music Rating Inventory (BMRI) to validate the music pieces based on their personal association, cultural impact, rhythm properties such as accentuation and tempo, and lastly the melodic and harmonic aspects. From the evaluation, it was anticipated that the outcome would consist of the motivational properties of the music in the playlist. In this article, BMRI serves as a conceptual model for evaluating the motivational properties of music. Play list analysis “Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads The song had an overall BMRI score of 33, indicating is has moderate motivational qualities. The pulsing bass thrum in the song made it an effective workout genre. Still, it is the repetitive nature of the beats, which were stimulating. The result was positive, as the song was motivating. This implies it is a functional music for physical workouts. The repetitive nature of the music aided in boosting efficiency while exercises. Terry et al (2011) established that repetitive physical movement synchronisation with the music can help in boosting performance efficiency. Dons (2009) also supports this findings when he asserts that music provides temporal cues, which can be matched with an individual’s target tempo. “Born To Run” by Bruce Springsteen The song had a BMRI score of 36, indicating it has high motivational qualities. The beats, melody and rock style of the song was particularly exhilarating. It has tense energy throughout made me want to sprint while I was jogging. The song triggered me into applying the right movements and rhythms while exercising. The result was positive, as the song was motivating. This implies it is a functional music for physical workouts. The effect is evident even in loud or distracting environment where there is noisy traffic. Bateman (2008) has discussed these findings. In his view, music can affect an individual’s capacity to acquire motor skills. He further explained that music could generate the right configuration that enables the exerciser to apply the correct movements. "I Wonder If Heaven's Got a Ghetto" by Tupac Shakur (1997) The strong rhythmic beats that appeared to dominate other instrumentation are what made the song to be particularly motivating. The song had a BMRI score or 37, indicating it has high motivational qualities. The song served as an outlet for releasing emotions, which allowed me to feel light while jogging. Hence, it distracted the mind from the fatigue sensations and hence reduced the sensitivity to exertion. Therefore, the result was positive, as the song was motivating. This implies it is a functional music for physical workouts. The process worked effectively at sub-maximal exercise intensity. Dons (2009) called this process dissociation. According to Bood et al (2013), application of personal music players can deepen this experience because the in-ear device offers direct stimuli and can as well block out thoughts of exhaustion or physical pain. Individuals enjoy running more than listening to music. “How You Remind Me" by Nickelback (2001) The sing has a steady backbeat that motivated me while running. The sound of the guitar and the catchy melody and the rhythmic accent were particularly energising. Overall, the music has a psyching up effect. It has an overall BMRI score of 37, indicating it is highly motivating. The music helped regulate arousal. As found by Terry et al (2011), music can be used to bring the athlete in the right mood before performance or training, and more so during the actual physical exercise. As a result, the result was positive, as the song was motivating. This implies it is a functional music for physical workouts. "The Planets" by Gustav Holst (1916) The upbeat tunes of the song motivated me during exercise. The rock style and the melody also motivated me while running. Overall, the song has a score of 36, which shows high motivational qualities. The music also enables individuals to perform the exercises in autopilot mode, or cognitive state where one acts without consciousness or self-awareness. The result was positive, as the song was motivating. This implies it is a functional music for physical workouts. This effect is consistent with findings document by Szabo et al (1999). who suggested that the effects of applying the right music during exercises is that they enable one to attain the required flow when exercising, or assume a state of total optimal mind and body functioning on autopilot. According to Szabo et al (1999), the state for flow is the definitive condition for optimal performance for many athletes. It is mostly linked to positive psychological state or a process where an individual enjoys immersion in the workout. Terry and Karageorghis (2006) also suggest that selecting the right music is a primary factor in attaining and maintaining flow. “Firestarter” by Prodigy The song’s rhythm, the terrifying drum and bass, and the first tempo stimulated autonomic nerve action that made me feel like I could run through a wall. The song had a BMRI score of 36, which indicates it has high motivation qualities. According to Bood et al (2013), stimulatory benefits linked to music are conditioned through affective responses that are intensified with exposure of reinforcement. Saha (2012) also associated the synchronicity of music with physical activities, by using the musical rhythm to coordinate movement and regulate the speed or rapidity of an activity. “Hear My Train A Comin'' by Jimi Hendrix (1973) The music has a repetitive yet progressive rhythm that is rather pulsating. Indeed, its trance-like rhythm formed a repetitive effect that kept playing automatically in the brain while jogging. Overall, the song had a score of 36, indicating a high motivational score. Merzenich (2010) explains its motivational effect. According to Merzenich (2010), when progressive rhythmic music gets into the central nervous system, through the auditory nerve, much of the input is transmitted to the brain for processing. Still, while some is channelled into the motor nerves of the spinal cord, which trigger the muscles into moving with the rhythm automatically. “Run To You” by Bryan Adams The vocal sounds that gargled like glass, the guitar sounds and the strong melody were particularly motivating. The song had a BMRI score of 35, showing it has moderate motivational qualities. The music generated faster reaction time and increased arousal. According to Terry and Karageorghis (2006), music is more likely to function as a stimulating cue to cognitive thought processes in addition to mental preparedness before performance, as well as a performance enhancement technique by increasing confidence. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor The song has a powerful rock style with heavy beats that are vitalizing while exercising. It triggers automatic body movement while jogging. It has an overall score of 33, indicating it has moderate motivational qualities. On particular dominant aspect of the song is that it boosted the moods before I started jogging. These findings were earlier scrutinised by Terry and Karageorghis (2006), who found that sedative music has significant benefits in improving mood states. The research added that positive emotions and outcomes cause an exerciser to repeat a similar activity that triggered the positive psychological state. "Symphony No. 5" by Ludwig van Beethoven The song has a relaxing rhythm that although relaxing, had a slow tempo that was less motivating for jogging, the style and melody of the music was also not motivating. The song has a score of 22, meaning it lacks motivational qualities. It particular made my nerves relaxed, which triggered inaction while jogging. I felt like stopping and taking a nap. The music was not motivating. Indeed, it was relatively de-motivating and triggered the perception of exertion. Dons (2009) defines this kind of music as oudeterous music. According to Batt-Rawden et al (2005), slow relaxing music lulls the activities of the sympathetic nervous system, which decrease anxiety, respiratory rate, and the pulse rate, which trigger muscle relaxation. Conclusion The BMRI instrument has effectively helped to validate that listening to music while taking physical exercises can lead to better performance quality. From the instrument, it is established that music elicits short-term and long-term endurance and work rate. Clearly, the three short-term psychophysical impacts generated are arousal control, reduced perception of exertion and mood enhancement. As noted, the effect of the music tended to depend on the tempo of the music. The effects were more profound with the louder the music. The underlying question is therefore whether physiological and psychosocial outcomes as established from BMRI enhance performance quality and endurance. Hence, while increases heart rate, reduced perception of exertion and reduced use of calories are evident from using the developed playlist, it is not clear whether they can bring the desired results for training by elite athletes who need to practices endurance during training. The effect of music in winning sports that are endurance related is therefore a topic for future research. References Bateman, A. (2008). Sporting Sounds: Relationships Between Sport and Music. New York: Routledge Beethoven, L. (1808). Symphony No. 5. [Recorded] Bood, R., Nijssen, M, Kamp. J., Roerdink, M. (2013). The Power of Auditory-Motor Synchronization in Sports: Enhancing Running Performance by Coupling Cadence with the Right Beats. PLOSE One 8(8), 1-8 Byrne, D., Frantz, C., Harrison, J. & Weymouth, T. (1979). Life During Wartime. [Brian Eno]. Fear of Music. [CD] NEw York: Electric Guitar (1979) Deal, K., Dudley, A., Flint, K. & Horn, T. et al. (1996). Firestarter. [Liam Howlett] The Fat of the Land [CD]. Essex: XL Recordings Dons, K. (2009). Optimal organization of musical playlists for physical exercising. Retrieved: Hendrix, J. (1973). Hear My Train A Comin [Recorded by Jimi Hendrix] On People, Hell and Angels [Recorded] London: Reprise. (1967) Holst, G. (1916). The Planets. [Gustav Holst]. [Recorded] Kroegback, C. & Nickelback. (2001). How You Remind Me. [Nickelback]. On "Little Friend" [CD]. New York: Roadrunner (1997) Merzenich, K. (2010). Top 12 Brain-Based Reasons Why Music as Therapy Works. NeuroScience. Retrieved: Saha, A. (2012). Effects of Synchronous Music on Psychological Responses, Performance Indices And Physiological Functioning Among Elite Triathletes and Runners. Retrieved: Shakur, T., Goodman, L. & Troutman, L. (1997). I Wonder If Heaven's Got a Ghetto. [Recorded by Tupac Shakur]. On Keep Ya Head Up. [CD] New York: Amaru Entertainment:. (1992) Springsteen, B., Appel, M. & Landau, J. (1975). Born to Run. [Bruce Springsteen]. Born to Run. [CD] New York: Record Plant (1975) Sullivan, F. & Peterik, J. (1982). Single by Survivor. [Frankie Sullivan]. 7" single [CD]: New York: EMI, Scotti Brothers. (1982) Szabo, A.; Small, A. & Leigh, M. (1999). The effects of slow- and fast-rhythm classical music on progressive cycling to voluntary physical exhaustion. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 39, 220-225 Terry, P.C., & Karageorghis, C.I. (2006). Psychophysical effects of music in sport and exercise: An update on theory, research and application. In M. Katsikitis (Ed.), Psychology bridging the Tasman: Science, culture and practice – Proceedings of the 2006 Joint Conference of the Australian Psychological Society and the New Zealand Psychological Society (pp. 415-419). Melbourne, VIC: Australian Psychological Society Terry, P.C., Karageorghis, C.I., Mecozzi, A., & D‟Auria, S. (2011). Ergogenic, psychological, and psychophysiological effects of synchronous music on treadmill running [Abstract]. In Serpa, S. et al. (Eds.), Sport and exercise psychology: Human performance, well-being and health –Proceedings of the 13th European Congress of Sport Psychology (p. 274). Madeira, Portugal: FEPSAC. Vallance, J. & Adams, B. (1984). Run to You. [Bob Clearmountain & Bryan Adams] New York: A&M (1984) Read More