Spring Mix: Beat The Fatigue

Jason Yu
April 19, 2012

• 

• Tweet

Read More: exercise music playlist, fitness, music

Many understand how music can help boost a workout but did you know it can also fight workout fatigue?  For instance, know how when a certain track plays on your iPod while you’re running, you feel like you could go an extra mile or two?  Or you’re motivated to push beyond your limitations when you’re benching or on the PreCor Machine?

Sports and exercise psychologist at Brunel University, Dr. Costas Karageorghis, performed this very research on the effects of music while working out. The 21-year study yielded both psychological and physiological effects.

The Breakdown:

Psychological Effects:

Music can trick your mind into feeling less workout fatigue. Music acts as a mask, so you’re not concentrating on your energy or exertion level, but rather are enjoying the music. In addition, music prevents boredom! Using music that matches the pace of your movements can give yourself a psychological boost when you are approaching fatigue and exhaustion.

Physiological Effects:

Matching the music to the tempo of your workout movements can help you regulate your movements and reduce the amount of oxygen required by your body, allowing you to work out harder and get more results or improvements in coordination and motor skills. When listening to fast-paced music before a game or race it acts as a stimulant –increasing your respiration and cardiac rates. Slower-paced music calms you down and provides greater focus–useful in pilates and yoga.

In essence, the effect of music on the brain also affects the body in a physiological way. Experiment next time you’re working out and see which songs provide greater benefit and intensity on your next workout. You’d be surprised which songs popped and which songs flopped!

(Source: 3FatChicks.com)

So what’s in Jason’s playlist currently?

Download my current exercise music playlist:

• Alex Clare – Too Close
• Alex Goot – Safe And Sound
• Avicii – Levels
• Calvin Harris – Feel So Close
• Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
• David Guetta – Louder Than Words (featuring Niles Mason)
• Glee Cast – Somebody That I Used To Know
• Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (4FRNT Remix featuring Kimbra)
• Jennifer Lopez – Dance Again (featuring Pitbull)
• Jessie J – Laserlight (featuring David Guetta)
• Karmin – Brokenhearted
• Luke Bryan – Drunk On You
• Nicki Minaj – Pound The Alarm
• Nicki Minaj – Va Va Voom
• One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
• Rihanna – Birthday Cake (featuring Chris Brown)
• The Wanted – Glad You Came
• Tove Styrke – Call My Name

• 

Jason Yu is Partner and Director of Marketing for The Hardwicke Group in Richmond, VA. His company specializes in new media, PR and influence with an emphasis on digital marketing strategy and reputation management. Jason enjoys keeping active by biking, running and working out on a daily basis. Jason has ran in over twenty running races including the Marine Corps Marathon, Tough Mudder, Richmond Marathon, and Xterra races. Interesting facts about Jason is that he is a music fanatic, in search fro the best macaroni and cheese, and aspiring “mixologist.”