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Published on: March 16, 2015
The Effects of Music Salience on the Gait Performance of Young Adults
Natalie de Bruin1, Cody Kempster2, Angelica Doucette2
1Balance Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada Balance Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada Balance Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada Engineering and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Balance Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada natalie.debruinnutle@uleth.ca.
Background:
The presence of a rhythmic beat in the form of a metronome tone or beat-accentuated original music can modulate gait performance; however, it has yet to be determined whether gait modulation can be achieved using commercially available music.
Objective:
The current study investigated the effects of commercially available music on the walking of healthy young adults. Specific aims were (a) to determine whether commercially available music can be used to influence gait (i.e., gait velocity, stride length, cadence, stride time variability), (b) to establish the effect of music salience on gait (i.e., gait velocity, stride length, cadence, stride time variability), and (c) to examine whether music tempi differentially effected gait (i.e., gait velocity, stride length, cadence, stride time variability).
Methods:
Twenty-five participants walked the length of an unobstructed walkway while listening to music. Music selections differed with respect to the salience or the tempo of the music. The genre of music and artists were self-selected by participants.
Results:
Listening to music while walking was an enjoyable activity that influenced gait. Specifically, salient music selections increased measures of cadence, velocity, and stride length; in contrast, gait was unaltered by the presence of non-salient music. Music tempo did not differentially affect gait performance (gait velocity, stride length, cadence, stride time variability) in these participants.
Conclusions:
Gait performance was differentially influenced by music salience. These results have implications for clinicians considering the use of commercially available music as an alternative to the traditional rhythmic auditory cues used in rehabilitation programs.
