For years, walkers, runners, swimmers and fitness buffs have plugged into their iPods and grooved to their favorite tunes in the quest to amp up motivation and performance. For many, it’s the boost they need to complete an exercise session or cross the finish line of a 10K or triathlon.
But athletes are now marching to the beat of a new concept: music that’s intended to optimize performance. UK-based AudioFuel, for example, has developed music tracks specifically designed for different activities and workout intensities. When you listen to a song or album it cues you to achieve the right cadence and stride for your target heart beat. Other motivational music providers include Podrunner, TechnoSweat and HellaSound.
Audiofuel, available though the company’s website and via iTunes, offers dozens of different music packs for walking, jogging, running, swimming and diet and nutrition These include interval training, tempo sessions and marathon training. For example, a 30-minute “Easy Beats” workout targets 125 to 145 beats per minute (BPM) while a high intensity 40-minute “Adrenaline Junkie” session pushes you to 155 to 190 BPM. Marathoners can use separate albums for a targeted finish time of less than 4 hours, 4 to 5 hours, or 5 to 6 hours.
What’s more, Audiofuel – created by Howie Saunders, best known as the composer for films such as The Matrix and Charlie’s Angels — matches the mood of the music to the stage of the workout: warm-ups, recovery periods and cool downs. Many sessions include voice coaching and prompts — some from former elite athlete Martin Yelling. A number of elite athletes, including middle and long-distance runner Helen Clitheroe and triple jumper Phillips Idowu, now use AudioFuel.
Research published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine in 2011 shows that Audiofuel may be highly effective. Andrew Lane, a professor of sport and exercise psychology at the University of Wolverhampton in the UK, says that the use of music during running produces gains — and AudioFuel generates additional benefits. “Runners appear to be cognizant of a number of emotional and performance benefits resulting from the use of motivational music,” he notes.
CONNECT THE DOTS
For a good overview of research on the topic of music and athletic performance, read this article at the website for the United States Sports Academy. You might also like these related Healthy Outlook posts: “Feedback During Exercise Can Improve Results,” “Exergames: Interactive Video Games to Boost Fitness,” and “Zumba Shakes Up Fitness.”
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