Music and Exercise - Can it make us move more?

We all love some good tunes when we work out, but do we know if this can actually make us perform better? Does science show that rocking along to The Who or jigging to a bit of Beyoncé make a difference? 

Good news - the research says YES. 

Nina Kraus, a professor of neurobiology at Northwestern University in Illinois, who studies the effects of music on the nervous system explains that “humans and songbirds” are the only creatures “that automatically feel the beat” of a song.  

Essentially, the human heart wants to synchronize to music, the legs want to swing and move to a beat.  

What does the research say? 

A 2012 study conducted by C.J. Bacon of Sheffield Hallam University looked the output of cyclists who worked to music, and they found that they required 7% less oxygen than working without music. This could mean that music can help maintain a set pace and increase efficiency. 

Another study in 2006 that looked at the effect of music on the selection of treadmill speed found that while listening to fast-paced music, participants increased their pace and distance travelled without becoming more tired. 

Is there any music in particular that can help us move more? 

A study conducted in 2012 took a sample of 184 students and asked them what type of music they preferred listening to whilst working out. The winner was hip hop (27.7%), rock (24%), pop (20.3%) and country (12.7%). Most interestingly was that when the participants were asked why they listened to music, 22.4% said it makes them work harder. 

Other reports suggest that some people have a preference to music that is played at a certain rhythm, some say the most popular is 120 beats per minute (bpm). Interestingly enough an analysis of more than 74,000 popular songs produced between 1960 and 1990 found that 120 bpm was the most prevalent pulse. 

Not sure what song is based on 120 bpm - here’s our hot tip from PACE Health Management - if you search ‘120bpm’ on Spotify or Google Music, there are hundreds of playlists already set up! 

Our Final Point

Whether you like hard rock or a touch of classic orchestral, music can be a great way to get your body moving and keep your mind engaged. At the end of the day, any music that gets you more active is good music!