Running music
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With the advent of the portable media player, running to music has become popular as well as controversial. A search of the blogosphere reveals many opinions on running to music. Some people find it fun, exhilarating, and motivating. Others prefer listening to the natural sounds around them, entering a meditative state, or enjoying peace and quiet (in the appropriate settings). There are also two safety concerns. One is that music may mask other sounds that may signal danger to the runner. The other is that high volume music played through ear buds may cause inner ear injury.
[edit] Research
Research has confirmed some benefits to exercising to music. In a study by Porcai and colleagues, presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Kansas, Mo. in 2003, healthy volunteers listened to music of various tempos while they worked out on stationary bicycles. The researchers found that the cyclists pedaling speed increased as the music tempo increased. Their heart rates and power outputs also varied (Porcai 2003).
Len Kravitz, PhD, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at the University of New Mexico, in an article on the university’s website(The Effects of Music on Exercise?), cited a survey of 70 college students enrolled in an aerobic dance class (Gfeller 1988). In his summary he states, “97% of the students felt (perceived influence) that the music affected their performance during aerobic activity. Respondents identified the following factors which influenced their aerobic performance: music style (97%), rhythm [beat] (94%), tempo (96%), lyrics (77%), volume (66%), mood (37%), and melody (17%). The results of this study support previous research that indicates that music benefits students from a motivational standpoint (Nelson et al 1963), although not always from a physiological perspective.
[edit] References
Gfeller, K. (1988). “Musical components and styles preferred by young adults for aerobic fitness activities”. Journal of Music Therapy 25: 28-43.
Nelson, D. O., and Finch, L. W. (1963). Effects of audio-analgesia on gross motor performance involving acute fatigue. Research Quarterly 33: 588-592.
Porcai, J. (2003), "Effects of Music Tempo on Spontaneous Cycling Performance." Meeting of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
