The Effect Of Music
Music accompanies us throughout our lives, and—whether intentionally or unintentionally—it is also connected to our daily tasks and activities.
Music is like a language and a means of communication between the performer and the listener. It conveys emotions and thoughts that affect us.
Music affects various aspects of the human body, such as the cardiovascular system, mood, or physical performance. We perceive it through our sense of hearing in the form of sound waves. But how does our body actually “decode” it?
The entire process, from the transmission of a sound wave to the ear and then to a brain impulse, is complex, but it can be simplified. Sound waves affect a part of the ear called the eardrum. Based on the sound’s impact, it creates vibrations that travel through small bones into the middle ear.
The vibrations travel to the third bone in the middle ear, known as the “stapes.” This bone contains a fluid filled with 10,000 to 15,000 hair cells. These cells activate the auditory nerve, which sends electrical impulses to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe. Sound is processed in the brain, and all research findings indicate that the decoding and interpretation of music are managed by neural networks in various parts of the brain.
Music thus activates various brain centers, each with its own specific function, and based on these, our brains respond to music.
We can divide these into:
* Temporal lobe – this region processes sound, and thanks to the speech center located here, we are able to appreciate music. This is the primary auditory cortex, which processes auditory information from the ears into words and sentences.
* Frontal lobe – we use it for thinking, planning, and decision-making. It can be enhanced by listening to music.
* “Wernicke’s area” – located in the parietal lobe, it enables us to understand spoken and written language; thanks to this region, the brain enjoys and analyzes music.
* “Broca’s area” – it enables speech, and through it we also express music. The ability to communicate can be improved by playing a musical instrument.
* “Nucleus accumbens”—it seeks pleasure and triggers the release of dopamine, which is crucial when it comes to addiction. Music increases dopamine levels in this area. If you believe that music is your addiction, you can associate certain music with an activity such as physical exercise and become somewhat “addicted” and more motivated when you listen to music while working out.
* “Putamen” – processes rhythm and regulates movement. Rhythm is very important during exercise. The theory is that this part “scans” musical rhythms.
* “Amygdala” – triggers and processes emotions; thanks to this, you can feel happiness or fear. There are three layers of neurons, and the top layer reacts to faces, sounds, and music—primarily in a positive way.
Music, Sports, Training, and Research
The human brain receives and processes sound waves, but music has a much greater impact on the human body.
It affects:
- the respiratory system
- heart rate
- physical strength
- endurance
- aerobic performance
- the ability to learn basic motor skills.
There have been many studies examining the effects and effectiveness of music on exercise.
A review of these studies shows that heart rate typically responds to the rhythm of the music. This means that heart rate increases with faster music and decreases with slower music.
When it comes to the effects of music on exercise intensity, the results of another study show that calming music significantly reduces intensity compared to fast music or silence. Surprisingly, silence is even more effective than calming music. The study showed that there is no significant difference between stimulating music and silence. From this, we can conclude that if you’re choosing between the two, try listening to upbeat music or simply enjoying the silence.
Music during exercise can trigger positive associations and distract us from negative feelings. Simply put, listen to your favorite music, and you may be less aware of the strain and other unpleasant sensations associated with your workout.
A 2017 study investigated the effects of music on physical performance. The study included 50 young adults, whose task was to exercise both with and without music.
As we mentioned in the conclusion of the study, music was shown to increase the total duration of the workout and raise the heart rate. The participants were men and women aged 19 to 25, and the positive effects were observed by comparing heart rates and the approximate duration of workouts without music.
The average workout duration without music was about 22 minutes, while with music it was 37 minutes—a difference of 15 minutes.
An increase was also observed in the maximum heart rate, which was around 132 beats per minute without music and 138 with music—a difference of 6 beats per minute.
The results thus showed a higher heart rate and a longer training duration, both of which are positive.
Music also affects strength during training, pulse duration, and even grip strength.
The study compared the effects of energetic and relaxing music, as well as the effects of white noise. Based on the results, stimulating music increased grip strength, while relaxing music, conversely, produced a lower value than white noise.
* White noise—For example, if we listen to a conversation between two or three people, we can clearly distinguish each voice. However, if ten people are talking, we will no longer be able to distinguish individual voices; instead, they will all blend into a uniform sound—white noise. For example, white noise—composed of the sounds of nature, rain, the ocean, a storm, or rustling leaves—is most commonly used to help people fall asleep.
A 2004 study also compared the effects of motivational music and white noise on muscle endurance. The participants were young students who were divided into three groups, depending on whether they were exposed to music or white noise. The first group listened to music before their workout, the second group listened for half of their workout, and the third group listened throughout the entire workout until the end. Participants were able to hold weights significantly longer while listening to music than while listening to white noise.
It’s not just about strength training, which is why we’re also looking at the results of a 2015 study. In that study, scientists focused on the importance of music during a 5-kilometer run. The study included 15 runners and examined five conditions: motivational songs before the run, slow motivational songs during the run, fast motivational songs during the run, slow songs after the run, and a control condition.
The results showed that participants ran faster during the first 800 meters when listening to fast and slow songs. Listening to music also increased the likelihood of improved performance. Listening to music thus improved performance, reduced perceived exertion, and also improved recovery during the run.
The right music can provide support during exercise, but how do you choose the right song? One useful factor is the song’s tempo. According to the data, women find it easier to exercise while listening to fast songs, at which point their heart rate ranges from 170 to 190 beats per minute. Music can improve performance by up to 15% during a workout.
What kind of music should you choose?
That depends entirely on the individual. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences, especially when it comes to working out. There are quite a few genres that can motivate us during workouts and, as a result, increase the intensity of our training.
This could be:
- Hip Hop
- Pop
- RNB
- Metal
- Rock
- Dubstep
- Intrumental music
- Various motivational songs
- EDM
- Elektro & House
- Techno
- Podcasts
For some people, music might not be the right fit, especially during physical activity. But that’s not a problem at all—as mentioned above, there isn’t really any significant difference between motivational or up-tempo music and silence. So, if you prefer to work out, run, or walk in nature in silence, that’s great. I actually recommend it, because—especially during longer walks without music or other distractions—we can think much more effectively, and personally, my best ideas have always come to me during quiet, longer walks.
It’s great to find a balance between using music for relaxation, motivation, and greater efficiency, and between silence and peace, which we use for relaxation and recovery.
Music can therefore be an asset during training, especially when we’re not feeling very motivated—for example, when we’re tired or lacking energy. Even when we’re in high spirits and physically ready for activity, it can be a significant factor in enhancing the effectiveness of the workout itself.
However, it isn’t strictly necessary for achieving top results. So, we can definitely use music to our psychophysical advantage, but we can also enjoy silence; the most important thing is to find a happy medium between the two.