EFFECT OF MUSIC ON PERCEIVED EXERTION, PLASMA LACTATE, NOREPINEPHRINEAND CARDIOVASCULAR HEMODYNAMICS DURING TREADMILL RUNNING

We examined the effects of listening to headphone music in ten well tr ained men (25.1 +/- 6 years) during treadmill running. Maximal oxygen consumption, determined by open circuit spirometry, was followed by tw o submaximal work bouts 72 hours apart. The work bouts consisted of a supine rest, a 15 minute run at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption, and a three minute active recovery period. Participants listened to music during one of the two trials. Hemodynamic variables and perceived exe rtion were recorded at three minute intervals during each trial. A ven ous blood sample, obtained prior to and following each trial, was assa yed for norepinephrine and plasma lactate. Analysis of variance reveal ed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the no music versus the exercise with music trial for (aggregate data 3,6,9,12,15 minutes): he art rate 152.9 +/- 5.3 to 145.9 +/- 4.7 beats min(-1); systolic blood pressure, 158.1 +/- 3.7 to 151.7 +/- 3.3 mmHg; rate-pressure product 2 42.2 +/- 11.5 to 222.1 +/- 11.4; exercise lactate 2.75 +/- 0.15 to 2.1 3 +/- 0.18 mmol.l(-1); and perceived exertion 14.4 +/- 0.4 to 12.9 +/- 0.4. A 17.5% lower level of norepinephrine (841.5 +/- 314.7 to 694.1 +/- 254.5 pg.ml(-1)) in the exercise and music trial was not statistic ally significant (p < 0.05); however a moderate effect size (ES = 0.52 ) was calculated and may be of practical significance considering the variability of the sample. Higher values for hemodynamics and lactate in the no music trial is suggestive of a greater metabolic demand; how ever, oxygen consumption was not different. Perhaps the music allowed individuals to relax reducing muscle tension thereby increasing blood flow and lactate clearance while decreasing lactate production in work ing muscle. The combined results of this study suggest the introductio n of music has a psychobiological impact on the exerciser demonstrated by changes in perceived effort, lactate and norepinephrine.