Music Timing Differentiates Fatigue Perception and Performance during Isometric Strength Exercises: A Crossover...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Psychology of Sport

Background:

• Music is recognized for its ergogenic effects on exercise performance.
• The optimal timing of music application to modulate fatigue and enhance performance remains under-investigated, particularly for isometric strength exercises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of music timing on fatigue perception and performance during isometric strength exercises.
• To compare listening to music during the entire exercise (MEE), during fatigue alone (MDF), and no music (CON).

Main Methods:

• A within-subject, randomized crossover design was employed with twelve recreationally active adults.
• Participants completed plank-hold and wall-sit isometric exercises under MEE, MDF, and CON conditions.
• Measures included time to volitional exhaustion (TTE), time to fatigue perception (TFP), heart rate, and blood lactate.

Main Results:

• Music played during the entire exercise (MEE) significantly increased TTE compared to no music (CON) for both plank-hold and wall-sit.
• Music played during fatigue (MDF) also increased TTE compared to CON, but only for the wall-sit exercise.
• MEE significantly delayed TFP in both exercise types compared to CON; heart rate and blood lactate were unaffected by music conditions.

Conclusions:

• Listening to music throughout the entire duration of isometric strength exercises is more effective at delaying fatigue perception and enhancing performance than listening only during the fatigue phase.
• These findings suggest that continuous music exposure throughout exercise maximizes ergogenic benefits for isometric strength tasks.