Music during exercise: does tempo influence psychophysical responses?

This study examined whether music of different tempi would influence the psychophysical responses of exercise participants performing a sub-maximal cycle task. Specifically, the investigation assessed the effect of musical tempo upon aerobic work rate and whether dissociation, and/or, arousal could be implicated in any physical responses. Eighteen student participants (10 females, 8 males) were required to partake in four experimental conditions: no music, ‘slow’ music, ‘moderately fast’ music, and ‘fast’ music. As a measure of exercise intensity, total distance travelled in 20-minute trial was measured; work rates were also expressed as average power output. Being indicative of dissociation, ratings of RPE and affect were taken. Measures of in-task arousal and degree of music liking were also examined. Findings revealed that both ‘moderately fast’ and ‘fast’ music resulted in a significant increase in exercise intensity when compared to the no music and ‘slow’ music conditions. No significant differences were evident between the no and ‘slow’ music trials. There was some evidence of dissociation in two of the music conditions. Whilst all music types produced an elevation in arousal, when compared to the control it was only in the ‘slow’ music condition that was deemed to be statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the music conditions. Thus, it appears that arousal had no impact upon exercise intensity. Ratings for ‘liking’ showed that all of the music types were received positively