By Richard Williams, Reporter

People have probably heard many times that music is beneficial to a person’s mental and emotional health. Does it help a person’s physical health as well?

Possibly, researchers say. Studies  show that music can affect a person’s physical performance in athletic activities. Music may not be able to directly improve their physical health, but it can make a difference when paired with exercise.

“It helps get you going,” junior Alex Lyons said.

Research conducted at Brunel University confirms that listening to music increases endurance by 15 percent. Primarily, music boosts motivation. This may not seem like something that would have a major effect, but studies show it can do more than most people think.

“There’s a lot of research that shows listening to music that motivates you can lead to a better performance,” Physical Education teacher Jill Carpenter said.

Music helps relieve pressure during sports and other physical activities. This can be useful during free throws in basketball or when running a marathon. By tuning out distractions, athletics can focus purely on what they’re doing.  However, there are downsides to this, as school psychologist John Markovich points out.

“One drawback could be that it could distract you from your thoughts,” Markovich said. “It seems during exercise you can think more clearly.”

While using music to drown out distractions can be helpful, people should also be careful not to let it become a distraction itself.

“Music can stop being effective when you’re focusing more on the music than the task at hand,” Carpenter said.

When working out, the beat of the song has a direct effect on a person’s performance.

The body’s reaction to the tempo may result in enhanced efficiency. In 2008, a study showed that cyclists who rode in time to the music playing used seven percent less oxygen at the same pace as those who didn’t.

“Subconsciously, your body will try to match the speed of the song,” Markovich said.

Music does have its limits. The more the body works, the less of an effect the music will have. Therefore people may not be able to  rely too much on music.

Music’s effects can vary based on the activity being performed.

For example, if a person is performing at a quicker pace it could be a distraction, and if someone was trying to run at a distance, music may be helpful.

“What kind of workout you’re doing can impact what kind of music you’d like to listen to,” Carpenter said.

PERCEPTIONS OF MUSIC AFFECTS PERFORMANCE

-Researchers proved that how athletes perceive music matters.

In an experiment, group one was told the music would enhance performance, group two was told the same music would hinder their performance, and group three was simply told there would be music. Group one performed the best; group two performed the worst.

-Stimulating music aids in muscle contraction in individuals who are working out, studies show—and those who can’t focus with stimulating music are better off working out without any music.

Sedative music causes muscles to relax, which reduces performance for most individuals. Relaxing music can be beneficial in yoga.