Here's some thoughts on music for exercise from Kristoph Thompson:
Research has shown that listening to music helps us to exercise harder and for longer. Music can provide us with something to focus our attention, relieving boredom and decreasing our sense of effort and exertion.
Our attention span has a limited capacity and music works by distracting us from feelings of pain or fatigue. Listening to music also helps with our motivation to exercise. Scientists are agreed that motivation is influenced by changing situations and environments, and listening to music while exercising provides an extra stimulus for the brain.
How to choose the right music for you
Songs with lyrics that inspire physical activity, such as ‘keep on moving’ may well enhance the success of your workout. It’s important that you play the music loud enough to block out other noise distractions so that the music becomes the central focus of your attention. Try to listen actively to the lyrics and the beat while you exercise as it may not have the same impact as background noise.
The type of music you select should reflect your own personal tastes: studies have shown a wide variety of musical styles are capable of enhancing performance, ranging from pop to classical music. Many people believe that variety is the spice of life, and it is certainly essential to our attention system.
If you employ the same musical selections time after time, your sensory system may well adapt by switching-off – a process known to psychologists as ‘sensory adaptation’. So be sure to vary your selections if you want to benefit from the distracting effects of music.
