Ever noticed how a great iPod track can push you to run that extra kilometre or why listening to the Black-eyed peas will pump you up in the gym tenfold?
A new study has proven that listening to the right kind of music can help you train longer, and harder.
This is according to new scientific research conducted by sports psychologist at the University of Southern Queensland, Professor Peter Terry, in partnership with Mizone formulated sports water.
Over a period of 28 years, Terry examined the training regimes of Olympic-class athletes in Australia and the UK, looking specifically at the impact music had on their concentration and performance during exercise.
The findings indicated that key components of music indeed has a psychological effect that can help us get "in the zone" and push us further during exercise.
Experiments are now being conducted to adapt certain sound tracks to various types of exercise such as mountain biking, kayaking or urban running.
The Mizone Zone Lab is working with four musicians to produce and record compositions that acoustically run parallel to a typical exercise routine involving warm up, plateau, climax, and cool down.
The musicians and bands enlisted; Hook N Sling, New Navy, Jono Ma, and Nick Wales, each represent a different musical style, which will be paired with a corresponding type of exercise.
"I’ll be excited to see how these musicians interpret my research findings in their musical choices," says Terry. "It will be fascinating to see how their tracks assist the exercisers."
The tracks are to be tested on four individual every-day athletes, and will be available for free download from February 1, with the purchase of a Mizone promotional bottle.
Terry’s tips for choosing the right music for exercise:
- Match the music to the activity you are undertaking and the psychological effect you want to experience, e.g. loud, fast, rhythmical, bass-driven music is great for psyching yourself up before interval training;
- Consider the intensity of the activity. Generally speaking you will need faster music if you are running at a faster pace;
- Consider music that creates motivating images in your mind. It may be used to associate with popular culture such as iconic films, or personal memories;
- Match the tempo of the music to your expected heart rate during your training session;
- Choose music that contains positive affirmations of running such as ‘keep on running’ or ‘work your body’. Positive statements such as ‘moving on up’ or ‘I believe’ can also have a motivating effect.
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