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article 2025 8 pages

Effects of music listening on anaerobic performance and motivation in healthy young adults

Luca Cavaggioni, Damiano Formenti, Ibrahim Ouergui, David Perpetuini, Paolo Castiglioni, Alessandro Berengan, Athos Trecroci, Luca Paolo Ardigò, Giampiero Merati

Journal
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
DOI
10.3389/fspor.2025.1518359
Publication type
Original Research
Population
sub-élite track-and-field and football athletes
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Abstract

Introduction:

The study aimed to investigate and confirm from a physiological and psychological perspective whether preferred music would influence anaerobic performance during the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST).

Methods:

A total of 18 (men, n = 12, women, n = 6) sub-élite track-and-field and football athletes (mean age 22.2 ± 2.1 years, mean height 175.3 ± 8.0 cm, mean weight 66.4 ± 10.6 kg, mean BMI 21.5 ± 2.2 kg/m2) were voluntarily recruited. The RAST procedure was performed by recording maximum power (Pmax), average power (Pmean), minimum power (Pmin), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and motivational level (visual analog scale) while listening to preferred or no music through headphones.

Results:

Listening to music significantly increased motivation (p 

Description

Listening to preferred music during anaerobic exercise improves motivation.