Date of Award
Summer 5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Exercise Science
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Dr. Brenda Davies
Abstract
The present study investigated the use of self-selected, synchronous music as an ergogenic aid in workout performance by evaluating measures of heart rate and RPE and participant interviews. Male and female participants (n=9) performed a workout of five exercises (bicep curl, military press, wide stance leg press, leg extension, and tricep kickback), under three different music conditions (when listening to self-selected, synchronous music, when listening to researcher-selected synchronous music, or when listening to a metronome set at 120 bpm). The quantitative portion of the study found that there was no significant impact of self-selected, synchronous music upon participant mean heart rate or RPE based on music condition. However, the qualitative interviews of the study provided support for use of self-selected music during exercise. Given these results and potential to improve workout performance, more research is needed on the use of self-selected, synchronous music and exercise.