| Abstract | Music is commonly found in exercise settings. Much research exists examining the effects of
music on the male population; however, very little research has been conducted on the female
population. The framework for the benefits of music during exercise and sport states that music
can increase positive affect, reduce perceptions of exertion, and improve physiological
efficiency. The purpose of this study was to examine how preferred songs, researcher-selected
songs from an international perspective (within a range of 130 to 170 bpm), and no music control
affect female exercisers’ perceived exertion, enjoyment, attention allocation, and heart rate while
performing a rowing exercise task. A total of 25 female participants (20.8 ± 1.87) completed a
15-minute rowing task in three musical conditions on an Aviron rowing machine at a preferred
intensity. Sessions were completed in a preferred music condition, an international research selected music condition, and a no music control condition with 24 to 72 hours between each
session. Measurements for rating of perceived exertion (RPE), attentional focus, feelings scale,
and heart rate were collected at minute-0, minute-7.5, and minute-15. The perceived enjoyment
questionnaire was administered post-exercise. Results found no significant differences between
conditions for RPE, attentional allocation, and heart rate, although, participants reported
significantly greater enjoyment in the preferred music condition than the researcher-selected
condition (p = .03) and the no music control condition (p < .001). These results indicate female
exercisers may not experience decreased RPE or increased dissociation, however, preferred
music can increase exercise enjoyment. This research benefits female exercisers who want to
employ preferred music during exercise and clinicians that want to prescribe exercise
prescriptions for female patients. |
