Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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17.06.2013 |
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Music improves sports performance
Much has already been written on the stimulatory effect of music on athletes. Studies have demonstrated this effect, for example on 400m sprinters [J Sports Sci. 2006 Oct; 24(10): 1095-102.], on rowers' sprint performance [The Sport Psychologist, 22, 175e182.] and on triathletes' long-distance times [J Sci Med Sport. 2012 Jan; 15(1): 52-7.].
The researchers wanted to know whether swimmers react positively to music so they got their subjects to listen to music on a waterproof MP3 player while they swam 200 metres as fast as possible.
Both songs have the same tempo – 130 beats per minute – which according to the researchers is best for improving performance.
The swimmers also swam the same distance on one occasion without music.
When they listened to music the swimmers had faster times, as the figure below shows. Howl had almost the same positive effect as Sexy And I Know It. The swimmers were equally motivated by both tracks, although seventy percent said that – in the water at least – they preferred Sexy And I Know It.
Music lowers testosterone levels, we wrote a few weeks ago. If that effect is physiologically relevant, maybe athletes should use music during competitions, but not during training sessions.
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