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Pre-task music improves swimming performance.
B P Smirmaul1, R V Dos Santos, L V Da Silva Neto
1Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil - brunosmirmaul@gmail.com.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|October 11, 2014
Summary
Listening to music before swimming improves performance. This study found that pre-task music significantly reduced 200-m freestyle swimming times and increased motivation in swimmers.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Psychology of Sport
Background:
- Music's influence on athletic performance is widely recognized.
- However, specific effects of pre-task music on swimming performance and psychological states require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of pre-task music on swimming performance.
- To assess changes in psychological variables such as motivation, arousal, and fatigue during swimming.
Main Methods:
- A randomized counterbalanced within-subjects design was used with 18 male swimmers.
- Participants completed two 200-m freestyle time trials: one after listening to self-selected music and another in silence.
Main Results:
- Swimming time was significantly reduced by 1.44% in the pre-task music condition.
- Pre-task music enhanced motivation but did not alter arousal levels.
- Fatigue increased post-exercise in both conditions, with no significant changes in perceived exertion or affective valence.
Conclusions:
- Pre-task music demonstrably improves swimming performance.
- Music listening before exercise is a viable strategy to boost athletic motivation and performance.
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