The Power of Music and Movement

Ok everyone, I’m putting my ‘nerd hat’ on today.  One of my guilty pleasures (besides eating chocolate and pretending to be an amazing dancer) is reading articles and developing more understanding of how things work and why they work. 

When I was at University completing my first degree (Bachelor of Music) I struggled with the vocal major but really loved researching.  Therefore, I changed my major to Musicology in my final year and spent a lot of time researching music and how it impacts the brain, mental health and improved performance.  It’s probably one of the reasons why I love group fitness so much!

Anyway, I believe in some cases people undervalue what music and exercise in combination can do for people physically and psychologically.  Now I’m not a psychologist so I’m not going to sit here and go into the deep scientific stuff, but I will give some cool insight as to how and why music is an incredible tool to help us move better.  According to Costas Karageorghis (2012), he argues that music could be a potential ‘performance enhancing drug because it’s so intoxicating.’  Pretty big claim, right?  Anyway, here are some ways in which music can enhance or improve performance:

Rhythm response: 

Our bodies are naturally wired to tap or move to the beat of a song in some capacity.  Various research has reached the consistent conclusion/ generalisations that around 120 bpm is the ‘unconscious default’ for individuals tested, 145 bpm is the best for consistent exercise pace and 160 – 180 bpm is best for short and more intense efforts.  Working with rhythm response also assists with oxygen conservation in exercise.  Through research at Sheffield Hallam University, J. Bacon found that participants who rode consistently to a beat in a Spin class required 7% less oxygen intake than those who were consistently off-beat.  Noting both groups had similar results in the workout. 

Music has the potential to rewire the brain: 

Music activates the whole brain, specifically the Temporal lobe (where cortisol is released,) and the Motor Cortex (which regulates motor function and assisting our body in finding rhythm in movement.)  Karageorghis claimed that music taps into the secretion of dopamine and natural opioids – two naturally occurring chemicals that block our perception of fatigue and pain (go body!)  Therefore, during physical activity, music has the capacity to distract people from pain and fatigue, elevate mood, increase endurance, reduce perceived effort and in some cases metabolic efficiency. 

Lyrics can enhance mood and assist with muscle memory:

We all already know that words are powerful.  When we listen to a song we are hooked to two things:  Musical hooks or riffs and lyrics.  Any quality exercise class will have awareness that lyrics in a song hold just as much importance as the music that follows it.  I know as an instructor, I love hooking onto lyrics to motivate the participants in front of me.  The lyrics to a song may also evoke an emotional response in the participant, which in turn may impact their performance.  Lyrics can also be used to mimic physical movement and develop music memory.  For example, the song ‘Push It’ by Salt n Pepper may assist in the pushing movements such as push ups and hill work in Spin.  The beats and musicality of a song can assist in this too.  If you really look deep into Les Mills music and choreography, this is quite evident and a great tool for instructor/ participant learning. 

Obviously, any way you chose to move your body is a personal choice and ultimately, I’m all for getting out there and giving various exercise routines a go.  But it’s a pretty cool thing to know the amazing power and impact music has on us on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.  So please feel free to comment as to how music impacts you!

References:

1.     Jabr, Ferris (2013) “Let’s Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music,” Scientific American, USA.

2.     Karageorghis, Costas  (2012) Studying Music in Exercise and Sport, USA.