subject: To IPod or Not while Exercising? [print this page] Source - The Cooper Institute blog at www.StandUpandEat.org
For many exercisers, an iPod is as much apart of their exercise gear as their shoes and clothing. Music can provide a distraction to the physical effort required during exercise and even make the workout feel like it goes quicker. But are there other benefits of exercising to music? A study published in Heart Lung journal tested whether exercising to music can affect depression, anxiety and verbal fluency compared to exercise without music.
Researchers studied cardiac patients (average age 63 years) participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program. The subjects participated in two exercise sessions; one was performed to music and one without. Each subject completed tests to measure anxiety and depression before and after each workout. They also participated in tests to measure verbal fluency. The test measures ability to find the right word at the right time. For example, the subject may be asked to name as many words from a category (vegetables, animals, etc.) as they can in a given amount of time. Verbal fluency is a good measure of how well the brain organizes and processes information. It is often associated with quick wit and persuasive communication.
Both groups felt better emotionally and mentally after the workout whether they listened to music or not. However, when they listened to music, scores on the verbal fluency test were more than twice as high compared to exercise without music. Researchers think that the combination of exercise and music may stimulate the brain and nervous system more which helps to organize cognitive output.
Before your next business meeting or big discussion with your spouse or children, you might want to grab some exercise to your favorite tunes! Does listening to music energize your workouts?
Emery, C.F., Hsiao, E.T., Hill, S.M., & Frid, D.J. (2003). Short-term effects of exercise and music on cognitive performance among participants in a cardiac rehabilitation
