How Listening to Music Affects Performance of Athletes

Nothing brings out emotions as much as music does. It also brings out in us the energy to live out life. Do you remember how it feels when you are singing in the bathroom? You feel good and energised, right? That is the same reason why athletes listen to music when they train or compete.

Try visiting a local gym. You will hear loud, upbeat music blaring over the speakers with athletes and fitness buffs doing their routine. Sometimes, you may see some people wearing headphones, quietly listening to whatever music in their mp3 players. Also, take a look at boxing, for example. As the fighter enters the ring, you can hear his theme music played all over the arena.

Athletes today find that loud, upbeat music enhances their performance in a number of ways. First, music allows them to synchronise their movements with the beat. For example, a runner's steps may coincide with the tempo of a disco song he is listening to. So if the music has a fast tempo, then he also runs faster. Indeed, in 1998, an athlete named Haile Gebreselasie set a world record for a 2000'metre run by synchronising his stride to the song Scatman. In another example, a bodybuilder listening to hard rock with a slow tempo synchronises his bench'press repetitions to the beat, allowing him to lift weights slowly and more effectively.

Athletes also find music a mood enhancer. Sports movie theme songs are classic favourites, which put them in a winning mode. Inspirational rock ballads and even slow, cheesy songs with lyrics that carry themes of encouragement are also desired. Thus, if you are an athlete who wants to improve his or her performance, try listening to music to energise you.