pop or rock music can get your blood pumping for a night out on the town. But if music

can seemingly enhance a mindset, or help you resist mental fatigue, can it also affect

athletic performance?

The term 'synchronous music' refers to uptempo songs with a strong beat that coincide with

the repetitive movements of a sport. And it's this type of music that leads to a higher

work output in athletes, particularly in sports that involve endurance with rhythmic or repetitive

movements, such as cross country skiing. This was put into practice as Haile Gebrselassie

famously synchronised his running stride to the rhythmical pop song "Scatman" when breaking

the 10,000m world record.

Studies show that music can act as both a cognitive and physical stimulant, especially

when the music has a personal meaning to the individual. For athletes who suffer from pre-competition

anxiety, music can be used to enhance mood, self-esteem and confidence. Even during competition,

music can narrow an athlete's attention, diverting focus away from sensations of fatigue.

In studies of athletes using music, those who listened to pop songs during training

or warm ups had higher heart rates, and increased muscle power compared to those who trained

without music. Furthermore, because music can trigger emotion, it was documented to

enhance mental imagery - a technique in which athletes picture themselves mastering a sport

before competition. This state of mind is crucial for all athletes, particularly before

major events. Funny enough, coaches even withhold music from athletes sometimes, as a motivational

tool. Athletes are told they can use music during training sessions, only once they have

reached a specific productivity level.

So which music works best? Almost all findings found that listening to music - period - regardless

of composition or speed, enhanced performance compared to no music. However, music with

an upbeat tempo of greater than 120 bpm, yielded the greatest improvements.

Science says, make a pump up playlist full of your favourite upbeat songs of the time,

and blast the competition away.

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