If you haven't already, it's time to build up a playlist of favorite music for jogging and other sessions. According to a study, listening to stimulating music during training alters the perception of effort.
Do you want to go for a short jog, but are you mentally tired? A musical playlist special for this activity could help you. According to a study published by the University of Alicante (Spain), listening to music while running helps improve performance in cases of mental fatigue. As part of their work, the researchers submitted 18 runners in a situation of mental fatigue following a reflection test before giving them a physical test. According to the results, the performance of runners who listened to their own playlist was at the same level as when they were not plagued by mental fatigue. Personally Selecting Music Motivates During Exercise, Lead Study Leader Shaun Phillips and represents a useful strategy to maintain good performance, even in the event of mental fatigue.
The researchers came to this conclusion after performing several rounds of tests. The objective? Investigate how music affects sports performance of athletes. Before the intensive sports session, the volunteers took a thirty-minute cognitive test on a computer in order to place oneself in a state of mental fatigue. Then, the leaders of the study compared the results obtained with those of a physical test without music and without a reflection test beforehand. Thus, physical performance in a state of mental fatigue would be at the same level as that obtained in the absence of such fatigue , simply by listening to stimulating music.
Researchers went so far as to help volunteers choose uplifting songs. Indeed, they have developed a complete questionnaire in order to assess everyone's tastes in terms of melody, rhythm, style, tempo, etc. Among the titles chosen by the participants, we find Survivor – Eye of the Tiger, A$Ap Rocky – Everyday, Avicii – Addicted To You or Jay-Z – Run This Town.
Shaun Phillips recalled that mental fatigue is a common phenomenon among many people. However, this can have a negative impact on daily activities, including sport. It is therefore necessary to find effective means to reduce this same impact. By listening to personally chosen music, individuals would therefore be able to preserve the benefits of sports sessions, even if originally these are not in ideal conditions.
