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In the end, it doesn't matter whether we train in the gym, at home or for the next marathon.

In all cases, motivation and perseverance are required to pull off the sports unit with full energy.

Over time, everyone develops strategies so that the training becomes more fun and takes place with a particularly high intensity.

For example, your personal favorite music helps you get started with motivation.

You can train better with your own playlist, you probably know that too.

But in the end it is unfortunately not as simple and logical as this little trick sounds.

There are a few things to consider when using a suitable beat to aid training.

Depending on the speed of the music and the type of sport, how the athletic performance actually improves in the end varies.

Scientists from the University of Verona found out.


Source: Getty Images / Francesco Carta fotografo

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The doctors carefully examined test subjects during several training sessions.

At the same time, the study participants listened to pop music with a number of different bass

beats

, so-called

beats

per

minute

.

The heartbeats and the individual perceived exertion were continuously recorded and measured.

The scientists examined the subjects not only during longer endurance training, but also during short and more intense strength units.

There were clear differences in terms of the athletic performance achieved - depending on how fast the rhythm of the song was that accompanied the test subjects.

For songs with at least 170 bpm, the study participants were particularly receptive to the music.

They felt less strained and therefore trained harder.

Listening to music at a high tempo while exercising results in an increased heart rate and decreased perceived exertion.

Luca Ardigò, physiologist at the University of Verona

However, this was primarily only true for endurance sports such as brisk walking, jogging and cycling.

Source: Getty Images / Westend61


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Anyone who used music for strength training or interval training generally felt better and more motivated.

However, an objective performance evaluation showed no or only rarely better athletic results.

So the bottom line is: Regardless of the sport, we are always more motivated when music is played with at least 170 bass beats per minute.

But only with endurance sports really improves performance.

In the future, we would also like to investigate the effects of other music characteristics such as genre, melody or lyrics on training.

Luca Ardigò, physiologist at the University of Verona

The question of which genre of music is best for training is very difficult for scientists to answer.

Because every genre of music in interaction with the lyrics has its own characteristics and effects on the body.

Add to this the complexity of the human body and psychology.

Source: Getty Images / Justin Lambert

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In the future, the Italian scientists will carry out further investigations in which not only the genre but also the athletic experience of the test subjects should vary.

It is quite conceivable that music could be of particular importance as a motivation for training beginners.

Until then, it is definitely worth turning on the music during training.

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This article was first published in March 2020.