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THE EFFECT OF LISTENING VOLUME OF PEFERRED MUSIC ON AEROBIC EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES

Abstract

Ashley Aurit, Marina Shunnarah, Rebecca R. Rogers, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Tyler D. Williams, Justin Moody. Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated that listening to preferred music can improve exercise performance, increase motivation, and decrease perceived exertion during exercise. However, there is less evidence on if listening to preferred music at different volume levels can increase exercise performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the volume of preferred music on aerobic exercise performance. METHODS: Physically active, college-aged females (21±1.1 yrs, 148.4±10.7 lbs, 67±0.7 in) were recruited into the study. The study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board. All participants completed a health history and informed consent. Participants visited our laboratory two times and completed a 2000-meter row for time on a Concept2 rowing ergometer while listening to music at a low decibel (dB) volume (60 decibels) or a high decibel volume (80 decibels) in a randomized, cross-over design. On the first visit, participants selected a song they preferred listening to during exercise that was over 120 beats per minute and that same song was played on repeat throughout the duration of the 2000-meter row in both volume conditions. Participants were instructed to complete the rowing exercise as quickly as possible, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and motivation were recorded. RESULTS: Heart rate (p=0.27), relative power (p=0.11), time to completion (p=0.75), RPE (p=0.07), and reported motivation (p=0.71) were not significantly different between low music volume and high music volume rowing conditions. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that volume of preferred music during aerobic exercise does not improve performance or subjective measures.

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