The effects of music preference and exercise intensity on psychological variables

J Music Ther. 2008 Summer;45(2):114-34. doi: 10.1093/jmt/45.2.114.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music preference and exercise intensity on exercise enjoyment, perceived exertion (RPE), and attentional focus. Participants were assigned to 1 of 3 music preference conditions (most preferred, least preferred, or no music) and walked/ran on a treadmill at 1 of 3 exercise intensities (low, moderate, or high) for 20 minutes. Measures of exercise enjoyment, RPE, and attentional focus (association, dissociation, distress) were taken. A 3 x 3 ANOVA on enjoyment revealed that when participants paid attention to the music, music accounted for roughly 5% of the variance in exercise enjoyment (p = .04). Results of a 3 (music) x 3 (intensity) repeated measures ANOVA on RPE showed a main effect of intensity (p < .001) but no main effect for music and no interaction effect. A 3 x 3 ANOVA on attentional focus revealed that those in the high intensity condition reported the greatest association (p < .001) and distress (p < .001). Although not significant, on average, participants in the most preferred music condition reported the highest levels of dissociation.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Music / psychology*
  • Physical Fitness
  • Surveys and Questionnaires