The Effects of Music and Sensory Deprivation on Exercise Cycling Performance

Abstract

Music is often used as an ergogenic aid to enhance physical performance during exercise. While the effects of music on exercise performance have been extensively studied, the effects of the deprivation from visual and auditory stimulation are not as well characterized. PURPOSE: To assess the influence of various sensory environments, including neutral, music and sensory deprived conditions, on the perceived exertion and exercise output at a moderate intensity. METHODS: Thirteen healthy young adults (22.5±1.8 years) were recruited to participate in four separate exercise sessions on a Monarch cycle ergometer. During the first session the participants completed a sub-maximal YMCA test to predict their maximal workload. The participants then came in for three more sessions given in varied order containing a neutral environment, a music environment and a sensory deprived environment. During each session the participant warmed up for 5 minutes, exercised on the cycled ergometer for 15 minutes at 60% of their maximal workload and then cooled down for 5 minutes. The music environment contained self-selected music via headphones and during the sensory deprived environment participants wore a blindfold and noise cancelling earmuffs. Significant differences were determined by using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: A significant (p≤0.05) difference was found between the total distance biked during the neutral environment and the sensory deprived environment (4.15 ± 0.60 km vs 4.02 ± 0.72 km). There was also a significant (p≤0.05) difference between the neutral environment and the music environment (4.15 ± 0.60 vs 4.45 ± 0.58 km). A significance difference was also found between music and the sensory deprived environment (4.45 ± 0.58 vs 4.01 ± 0.72 km). CONCLUSION: Music lead to an increase in exercise output during moderate intensity cycling, while sensory deprivation may have a negative effect on exercise output during moderate intensity exercises.