Can listening to music help you with training?
Even the first music helped us move. Theories of musical origin range from its assistance in ritual dances, through to the increased coordination of productive activities. On the other hand, Charles Darwin believed that music is a form of sexual attraction. Other hypotheses see it as a kind of social glue, raising morale and creating more cohesive societies.
Any or all of these theories seem plausible. We dance to music, we work to music, we relate to music. It helps us in many areas of our lives - nothing more than physical activity. Science says that listening to music while working out really helps you perform at a higher level. Not that you need science to find out - most of us have, at some point, felt a deep, instinctive surge of energy from vocal forces. What is this? And where it comes from?
4 ways listening to music helps you exercise
1 - Move to the beat
Do you know when you hear a loud noise and jump before you can even process the cause of the noise? This is my hunch. It is a reflex circuit. Music has this effect, too. Studies have shown that listening to music increases electrical activity in the areas of the brain responsible for coordinating movements. In turn, our bodies synchronize with the rhythm and our motor systems synchronize with the rhythm. This is especially useful when exercising, as music can help your body repeat movements more efficiently.
2 - release feeling good
Even if you don't exercise, music is a great mood lifter. Listening to music floods your body with healthy hormones, increasing the feel-good factor of dopamine and oxytocin while lowering the irritating stress hormone, cortisol. All this creates a more positive state of mind, which provides more motivation for movement. And since exercise also acts on the exact same hormones, listening to music while working out is double the mood magic. Ppp-pow!
3 - wake up
Sometimes all you need is a little "tiger eye" to put a spring in your step, because music can take away mental and physical feelings of tiredness—perfect for days when we might be low on motivation. The natural mood-enhancing hormones released by listening to music (mentioned above) also act as natural sedatives, distracting you from the discomfort of fitness fatigue.
4 - Athletic Enhancement
Raising the cadence can also help set maximum performance during exercise. This can vary depending on your preferences and activity, for example, a 2011 study found that cadence between 125 and 140 beats per minute (bpm) was most effective for cycling performance, while a similar 2014 study found that between 123 And 131 bpm was perfect for running a treadmill.
The story of music is the story of people. Music is our core, just like movement. In fact, music is the human body and mind producing patterns in a creative way. It's nature's way. Find out what's good for you, and discover the world of functional fitness at EVO with a free trial.
