Enriched Exercise Environment Boosting Exercise Effects on the Brain: Beneficial Effects of Music

Physical exercise is a potential medicine for cognitive function and mental health; however, regular exercise is more difficult than taking a pill every day. Developing an exercise environment that promotes a positive affective response to exercise and exercise benefits on the brain may encourage people to participate in physical activities. Listening to music while exercising is a promising candidate for such an "enriched exercise environment." This chapter reviews the studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of music on enhancing mood and cognitive function in both acute and chronic settings. Furthermore, the underlying neural mechanisms involved in the effects of exercise with music are discussed from the following three perspectives: (1) musical reward and pleasure, (2) rhythmic entrainment, and (3) sensory distraction. In addition, the concept of groove, which is "the pleasurable sensation of wanting to move the body to music" was used to explore the characteristics of music that are compatible with exercise. Finally, individual variations on whether combining exercises with music are appropriate and the considerations that should be addressed for implementation in the field are discussed.