Whether you’re a runner, rower, or bodybuilder, you’re likely to have a favorite selection of songs and some headphones to help you.
The right choice of music can inspire, invigorate and provide many necessary distractions. Elite athletes of all disciplines can be seen in the moment before a big match or race, with their ears covered in well-thought-out headphones. But what about music that helps push the body towards or through physical discomfort?
We have investigated this question using a variety of scientific methods. So far, we’ve focused on different forms of popular music, such as rock, dance, hip-hop, and R & B, but more recently we’re looking at the benefits of classical music as an auditory aid to exercise.
As a genre, it’s easy to see why classical music seems to be overlooked in terms of people’s choice of training soundtrack. It often lacks rhythmic “grooves” and is not easy to sing with the lyrics.
Nevertheless, many of the works of the classic repertoire have their own timeless beauty and may justify their use. Think of the sparkling majesty of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, or the inspirational of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
So how can you take advantage of the beauty of such music and take advantage of the peaks and valleys of sound during training? First, we need to understand what the benefits of music are in the context of physical activity.
The role of any training music is to relieve pain, raise the spirit, and perhaps speed up the time a bit. Scientists refer to the “dissociation effect” of music. This means that music helps distract the mind from the symptoms associated with inner malaise. Recent neuroimaging studies by our group have shown that music tends to reduce motor consciousness-essentially the part of the brain that conveys fatigue-they do not communicate much when music is being played.
Also, music cannot reduce a person’s perception of movement at very high work intensity, but it can affect mood-related areas of the brain up to the point of spontaneous malaise. Therefore, aesthetically pleasing works such as the William Tell Overture finale do not affect what you feel when your lungs are burning on a treadmill, but they can affect how you feel it. In essence, soothing music can color the interpretation of fatigue and enhance the athletic experience.
But it goes beyond emotions and perceptions. Music can also have the effect of being “ergogenic” or improving work. Psychologist Maria Lendy uses the slow and fast movements of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in C major (op. 92) to help the performance of a sprint boat with a musical tempo of over 500 meters. I investigated whether it affected. Her findings show that both types of music provide faster sprint times compared to controls without music, faster tempos (144 beats / minute) provide 2.0% performance improvement, and slower (76bpm). ) Is 0.6% improvement.
Classical music has been found to stir the imagination and generally enhance the running experience, especially when enjoyed with inspiring landscapes.
However, classical music is probably most powerful when used before or immediately after exercise. Its central function before exercise is to build energy, evoke a positive image and stimulate movement. Works such as Vangelis’s Chariots of Fire are the title tracks of the film that bears its name, and its pulsating underlying rhythm and links to the familiar cinematic glory are particularly effective.
Post-workout applications require the music to be calm and energizing to help the body return to rest. This classic piece is Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1, a timeless piano solo that wraps listeners and treats tired muscles with a sonic massage.
To optimize your selection of classical music for exercise, it is important to consider the energy consumed by the different segments of your workout. Warm-ups and stretches are relatively low intensity, sessions are gradually built towards the heart-stimulating zenith, ending the warm-down and activation period.
Music choices of all genres should ideally follow the path of energy expenditure in a workout session (see the list below for some suggestions). Similarly, certain pieces can be saved for segments that you find most difficult to exercise, such as high-intensity aerobic exercise.
Overall, it is up to each of us to decide if classical music and exercise match well-musical tastes are very personal. But why not mix it a little? Various exercises will keep us fresh and energetic, so consider switching between musical accompaniments and staying active. Swap rave music for Ravel and replace breakbeats with Beethoven’s illustrious explosion.
If you need inspiration, check out a playlist edited by Luke Howard, a research assistant at Brunel University London.
- Maurice Ravel’s Bolero has an average tempo of 70bpm and is ideal for mental preparation before moving. A gentle start at a tempo close to your resting heart rate believes in the transcendental power of this classic.
- Florence Price’s E minor symphony No. 1 Juba Dance is a fascinating symphony that gently raises your heart rate during the warm-up phase. It ends with an exhilarating crescendo and you are properly prepared for what is to come.
- Part IV. An exciting musical piece for the low to medium intensity segment of your training by Finale, Allegro Acai, Symphony No. 40 in C minor, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It features a melody roller coaster called the “Mannheim Rocket”, which stimulates the heart and lungs.
- The prelude to Act 1 of Carmen by Georges Bizet has a roaring tempo (128bpm) that runs through a segment of intense, high-intensity workouts. The exquisite melodic and harmonic features of this piece allow you to get away from the pain.
- Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8. Antonio Vivaldi’s “La Primavera” is perfect for warming down and keeps your feet spring as you gradually return to rest. Beautifully orchestrated strings give this opus a remarkable resilience.
