Music can improve your gym performance
The right playlist can turn that lethargy and laziness into energy and eagerness to train
The success of a weight loss plan is not only built on calorie counting and energy expenditure. Functional and sports nutritionist Diogo Cirico, technical manager at Growth Supplements, explains that science is discovering that a series of resources can improve athletic performance or just adherence to training and diet. One of them is particularly noteworthy: music. “Today we know that this increase in performance can be stimulated through different factors, known as ergogenic aids. A special shoe that cushions impact; psychological support; relaxation techniques; the use of dietary supplements and even the music we listen to contribute to the evolution and improvement of our physical performance,” comments Cirico.
Yes, you heard right. A good song can improve your performance in the gym or in a competition. “Science has been studying the effects of music on our body and one of the discoveries is that the beats of the music can relate to the heartbeats and muscle movements,” says the expert.
In weightlifting, as in many other sports, movements need to be rhythmic, coordinated. “According to the Theory of Synchronization, if I am listening to something I like, the chance of having more fluid and straight movements is higher. If I am listening to an upbeat, lively song like rock, for example, my movements tend to be more vigorous. Music can make our muscle movement more fluid, rhythmic, more vigorous or slower, depending on what plays in our headphones and how it touches our heart,” details Cirico.
The sports nutritionist explains that it helps to reduce the subjective perception of effort, which is how the individual feels when exercising. “When a person goes to train, they are receiving internal (such as anxiety, excitement, and other feelings) and external stimuli (such as visual information and music). So, if the person feels intimidated or uncomfortable with the stimuli they receive, their capacity for effort perception can be altered. This can cause the individual to perform less in exercises, which directly affects their results. But when we listen to pleasant music, there is a reduction in the subjective perception of effort, and therefore, performance improves.”
Mood Theory
Music stimulates emotions positively or negatively and can help control anxiety levels. “If we listen to a song that we like, we can reduce the sensation of pre-competition anxiety, increase the sensation of power, and motivation. Both stress and anxiety affect our performance,” says Cirico.
Furthermore, the expert explains, this type of art has the power to change mood and disposition. “If I’m having a bad day, stressed or demotivated, and I put on an upbeat song that I like, it will awaken good emotions, can help to push away the feeling of laziness, increase excitement, and bring back the desire to train.”
However, a melody that we do not enjoy can negatively influence our performance. “So, if you don’t like what’s playing in the gym you attend, I suggest training with headphones and choosing your own playlist,” he jokes.