Effects of Familiar Language Lyrics in Self-Selected Motivational Music on Sprint Performance and Psychophysiological Responses: An Exploratory Study

Background: Listening to fast-tempo or motivational music before exercise may im- prove maximal pedaling performance, but the role of lyric comprehension remains un- clear. This study tested whether self-selected music with familiar language lyrics per- ceived as motivational improves sprint performance and psychophysiological responses. Methods: Fourteen healthy young men (age: 19.7±1.7 years; height: 171.2±3.1 cm; weight: 65.8±7.1 kg; body mass index: 22.4±2.1 kg/m 2 ) who exercised regularly (≥3 sessions/week) participated in a within-subject crossover design, completing a 20 s maximal pedaling test across 3 randomized conditions: control (Con; no mu- sic), music with unfamiliar language lyrics (UM), and self-selected music with famil- iar language lyrics (FM).All participants completed all three experimental conditions in a randomized order. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests (α= 0.05). Relative peak and mean power outputs were recorded. Motivation, arousal, and pleasant emotion were assessed at rest, after listening to music, after warm-up, and after exercise. Prefrontal hemodynamics and autonomic nervous system activity were recorded continuously.Results: Relative peak power was higher in FM (8.42±0.61 W/kg)than Con (8.23±0.58 W/kg;p< 0.01;d= 1.05); mean power did not differ across condi- tions. FM showed higher motivation and arousal after music compared with Con and UM, and higher pleasant emotion throughout. No significant differences across condi- tions were observed in prefrontal hemodynamics or autonomic nervous system activity. Conclusions: Listening to self-selected music with familiar language lyrics perceived as motivational during subsequent maximal pedaling enhanced peak power and psychologi- cal responses. Lyric comprehension and language familiarity likely play an important role in the ergogenic effects of music before high-intensity exercise.

This study explores the impact of familiar language lyrics in motivational music on sprint performance.