Music accompanies every moment of our day: during work, travel, study, meditation, and leisure. It is also a constant presence in sport—across all genres, tempos, and devices. Every activity has its own internal timing. So the question comes naturally: can music really influence our performance on the track, or is it simply a pleasant background?

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Rhythm as the key to athletics

Track and field is built on rhythm. Every exercise requires the right timing: the rhythm between hurdles, execution tempo in the weight room, kilometer pace during a running interval, or the timing of an accelerating jump or throw. For many athletes, music is a tool to reach the optimal mental and physical state, helping synchronize movement and focus.
But how real is the effect of music on performance?

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What do scientific studies say?

In recent years, several studies have attempted to measure the influence of music on training and athletic performance. Among the most frequently cited are:

• Listening to music during a repeated sprint test improves performance and psychophysiological responses in healthy and physically active male adults (Jebabli et al., 2023)
• Influence of Music on Maximal Self-Paced Running Performance and Passive Post-Exercise Recovery Rate (Lee & Kimmerly, 2014/2016)
• Listening to Preferred Music Improved Running Performance without Changing the Pacing Pattern during a 6 Minute Run Test with Young Male Adults (Jebabli et al., 2020)

These studies provide valuable insights, distinguishing between aerobic efforts (continuous or self-paced running) and anaerobic efforts (sprints and maximal-effort exercises).

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Effects of music on aerobic efforts

During moderate-intensity or prolonged activities, such as a six-minute run, research shows that:

• Upbeat music (around 140 bpm) improves performance compared to slower tracks.
• Rhythmic music promotes a higher heart rate (HRV), while slower music is beneficial during the recovery phase.
• Listening to relaxing music after exertion helps reduce lactate levels and heart rate, aiding recovery.

It does not increase the perception of effort: athletes can train at higher intensity without feeling more fatigued.

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Effects of music on anaerobic efforts

In the case of explosive exercises or short sprints, studies have observed that:

• Listening to preferred music even during the activity improves performance compared to silence.
• Simply listening to it during the warm-up also has a positive effect.
• No significant changes are observed in heart rate or lactate levels.

The most noticeable effect relates to motivation and mood: athletes feel more positive, motivated, and focused.

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The real effect: emotion and focus

In summary, the most tangible impact of music in athletics is less physical and more emotional and psychological.
Listening to favorite tracks increases motivation, enjoyment, and the ability to maintain focus.
Performance improvements, however, are less pronounced and often difficult to measure objectively: some studies do not detect physiological changes sufficient to explain a real increase in performance. Music helps create a more engaging environment, allowing athletes to experience the track in a more personal and relaxed way, while maintaining the joy of training.

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What do we enjoy?

As someone might say: “A noi ce piace ‘o Blues”.

We enjoy background music and a good chat with the coach, or sharing impressions of a training interval with a teammate. At our camps, there’s time for everything: to train, to improve, to chat, to share a new track, to listen to our footsteps between hurdles, and even to enjoy an improvised DJ set by our Head Coach at the beachside café.

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The future is bright,
Scirocco TF

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