Music isn’t just entertainment during training—it can actually help you improve your results. That’s because the tempo of music (or BPM—beats per minute) directly influences our bodies. Research has proven a strong connection between music and performance during both workouts and competitions.
Scientists are studying how different rhythms affect heart rate during exercise. Generally, the ideal tempo for medium- to high-intensity training is around 120–140 beats per minute. According to sources like Parimatch News, studies show that listening to music in this range can boost endurance by 12–18%.
How Does Music Affect Performance?
Here’s how it works:
Music enters our nervous system through the ears. When we listen to an exciting track, the nervous system releases adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones make the heart beat faster and improve blood flow to the muscles. The result:
- Our movements become more synchronized with the rhythm.
- Pain tolerance increases by 10–15%.
- Coordination improves.
- Motivation rises thanks to a boost in endorphins.
All of these effect have been measured with specialized equipment in sports labs. The results clearly show that performance truly improves when music is part of training.
Music Across Different Sports
Every sport requires a different type of music. For activities with repetitive motion (like running or cycling), a stable tempo is key. In team sports, music is usually played only during breaks. For example, in athletics:
- Long-distance running: 130–140 BPM to keep pace steady.
- Sprinting: High-energy music (160+ BPM) during warm-ups to activate the nervous system.
- Long jump or javelin throw: Upbeat tracks between attempts to maintain focus.
- Marathon: A varied playlist, matching different stages of the race.
- Hurdles: Clear rhythms help regulate steps between barriers.
Coaches often create custom playlists for different stages of training. If the workout includes intervals (like sprints followed by rest), the tempo of the music changes accordingly.
For team sports, music is less central than in individual sports:
- Soccer: Motivational tracks in the locker room before matches.
- Basketball: Music during time-outs or quarter breaks.
- Hockey: Played during intermissions only.
Individual sports offer more freedom:
- Tennis: Music only during warm-ups.
- Swimming: Waterproof headphones during training.
Today, many apps can generate custom workout playlists. They measure heart rate and automatically select tracks with the right tempo.
The Future of Music and Sports
Research on music and athletic performance is still ongoing. Scientists aim to better understand how music can enhance training, and the data they collect is being used to design new training methods for professional athletes.
The bottom line: choosing the right music can maximize your workout across almost every sport. The benefits aren’t just psychological—they’re backed by sports science, measurement, and statistics.