Most of us assume it's empowering to put on music with a fast beat per minute (bpm). Workout playlists are filled with up-tempo aka "motivational" songs.
Although this seems like a universally accepted truth, the idea that motivational songs help us train more/better - is not based on any scientific evidence.
Instead, a wealth of sports psychology tells us that listening to slower music is actually more effective.
The power of music
Hundreds of studies have shown the beneficial power of listening to music while exercising. Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that music led to a 28% increase in enjoyment, while another review found it to be an effective strategy for managing pain and fatigue.
There are two ways to listen to music while exercising. Asynchronous application is when you put it in the background, but do not consciously match your movements to the rhythm. This can act as a distraction, and during light and moderate-intensity workouts, it can help you exercise longer before feeling tired.
Synchronized application is when we use the music as a pulse and adjust our tempo based on the music.
But getting the synchronization right is harder than it might sound. During an intense workout, the tendency is to put on fast-paced music. The logic we tell ourselves is that if we can keep moving along with the beat, our workout will be better.
However, research does not support this.
Very fast music makes it very difficult to keep in sync and the effectiveness is not the same.
Be aware that when working at a very high intensity, it may be better to not listen to anything at all.
"Research suggests that music has no effect at very, very high intensities," says exercise psychologist Leighton Jones, PhD. "You're just working too hard and your body is screaming too loud; it can only hear that noise from your own body."
Source: Well & Good
