Shane's 4th Blog

Summary
In an article written by G. Tenenbaum, R. Lidor, N. Lavyan, K. Morrow, S. Tonnel, A. Gershgoren, J. Meis and M. Johnson a study is outlined on the effect of music on exercising. More specifically they studied how music affects experienced and non experienced runners. According to their study, “Three studies were conducted. In Study 1 and Study 2, performed in the laboratory, participants ran at 90% of their maximal oxygen uptake on a motorized treadmill four times, once each with rock, dance, and inspirational music, and once without attending to music. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were monitored during the run, and discomfort symptoms and music-specific questions were examined. In Study 3, performed in the field, participants ran a hilly course eight times, four under a competitive-pair condition, and four under a single-mode condition. Running time was the dependent variable". What they had found was that the non experienced runners exerted more when the appropriate music was played. However the experienced runner was not affected by music while running.

Analysis
From what I can discern, the reason that the experienced runners were not affected as much as the non experienced runners was because of their training regiment. It would appear that exercise depends on the level of fitness one is at when starting training, and personal motivations and preferences. I found it intriguing that the authors of this study tested the subjects RPE in a way that the subject were exerted almost maximum effort.