How Does Music Help With Your Aerobic Exercise?

Aerobic exercise is any kind of physical activity that elevates your heart rate. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise weekly for adults, or 150 minutes of moderate activity. Some people prefer to work out in solitude, while others are bored with silent exercise and like to listen to music. Playing music during aerobic exercise may be the better option -- it can help you in a number of ways.

Mood

• Putting on some tunes while you participate in aerobic exercise can boost your mood. "The Sports Journal" refers to this benefit of music as "dissociation," or in other words, a distraction. When you are listening to music during exercise, the sounds and beat distract you from physical work, making you feel less tired from the exertion. The reduced fatigue contributes to feelings of happiness, according to researchers, and may eliminate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Physiology

• Music stimulates several physical responses during aerobic exercise. A fast musical beat energizes your brain, which in turn increases your heart rate and rate of breathing. A more even tempo can regulate your blood pressure and cortisol levels, states UK-based neuroscientist Jack Lewis. Studies reported in "The New York Times" and "The Sports Journal" state that listening to music while exercising could also make some athletes more efficient in the amount of oxygen they use during a workout.

Exercise Output

• People who listen to music during a workout often have a higher exercise output -- they are able to exercise more, or achieve a specific such as running faster or shooting more baskets -- because their perceived fatigue is reduced, allowing them to work harder and achieve higher activity goals. "The New York Times" reported the results of two studies involving cyclists and basketball players. Bicyclists tended to pedal faster when the music was faster, but would naturally slow their revolutions per minute when the tempo of the music changed to a slower beat. Basketball players had a higher success rate with free throws after having listened to upbeat music before their practice session.

Types of Music

• Neuroscientist Lewis reports that classical music with an engaging beat is the most effective type of music to listen to during aerobic exercise because of its physiological benefits. However, slower music can also be effective during a cool-down session to help you regulate your breathing and heart rate. "The Sports Journal" says one of the selection criteria for music during aerobic exercise is to opt for something "suited to an athlete’s taste," intimating that the tunes that make you happiest can be a motivational factor during a workout.