Impact Of Music On RPE During Submaximal Treadmill Exercise

Abstract

0847 The impact of music on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during submaximal exercise has garnered much attention. Studies have indicated that subjects exercising at submaximal intensities report lower RPE's when listening to music. PURPOSE: To determine if music perceptions (like, dislike or no music) would affect work production at two RPE's. METHODS: Six physically active (VO2max 51.2 +/− 5.7 ml/kg/min) subjects, five males and one female (age 30.3+/−6.1yr), participated in this study. Subjects performed a maximal graded treadmill test using the Modified Astrand protocol to anchor them to the Borg 15 point RPE scale and to determine HRmax and VO2max. The subjects returned to the lab on two separate occasions to complete six 5 min randomly assigned trials. Subjects selected music they liked and disliked. In three trials (like, dislike, and no music), subjects produced an RPE of 13 and in three trials an RPE of 17 was produced. The subjects were blinded to the grade and speed and had three min to adjust the intensity. After three min, the subjects performed at the same speed and grade for 2 additional min. The dependent variables included self-selected grade and speed, HR, VO2, and RER. RESULTS: At an RPE of 17, there was a trend for an increase in heart rate in the music liked (p = 0.12) and music disliked (p = 0.07) trials. (Table). However, the music conditions (like, dislike or no music) did not significantly (p>.05) affect work production or any of the variables measured. CONCLUSION: Music perceptions do not appear to impact work production during submaximal treadmill exercise at RPE 13, but remains to be determined at an RPE 17.Table