Exercise burns calories, and a reduction in calories means weight loss. Music can provide motivation during long periods of exercise. Researchers studying exercise and music also found that the tone, timing and sequencing of the music stimulate the brain's frontal lobe and encourage abstract thinking or planning for the future, including, perhaps, visualizing what weight loss will look like when it's finally achieved.
Motivation and Weight Loss
Self-motivation means the difference between weight loss and failure to lose the weight. Kelly Webber, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, studied 66 females classified as obese or overweight. After 16 weeks participating in a weight-loss study, the women with the highest loss totals took on the weight-loss plan as a personal goal.
A second study at the same institution discovered that when strategies were used to improve interest, the less-motivated people were able to continue in the program, even past the point when the interest of the highly motivated participants waned. The key to weight loss, according to Webber, is adding the motivational element to keep dieters interested in the program.
Music and Motivation
For some dieters, music adds the necessary spark to keep working on weight loss. Medical studies examine the impact music has on exercise, including its effect on respiration and heart rate, improving physical strength and endurance, stimuli for rehabilitation and impact on aerobic fitness. Neurologist Oliver Sacks determined from his studies that listening to music is the same as imagining the music. If a vivid memory of the music is present, it "activates motor parts," according to Sacks. He believes appropriate music can motivate an exercise routine.
Music and Program Optimism
Costas Karageorghis, sports psychology professor at England's Brunel University, links music with the creation of feelings of excitement and optimism. He believes a scientific exercise soundtrack can assist in an effective workout program, either for physical development or for weight loss.
Personal interest creates higher interest in the physical activity and creation of a personal music tape helps in creating and keeping an aura of excitement about a weight-loss program. Updating your music tape with new tunes can help keep your level of optimism high while you focus on working the weight off.
Music Selections
Karageorghis notes that the strongest motivational qualities tied to music include musicality, cultural impact, association to other memories and events, and the rhythm of the song. For motivation, Karageorghis recommends matching the beats to your heartbeat or to the cadence of the exercise. Music selections that create favorite associations and using your preferred music style can also contribute to longer exercise periods. This may result in additional burned calories and weight loss.
References
- University New Mexico: "The Effects of Music on Exercise?"; Len Kravitz
- MSNBC: Why Music Makes Exercise Easier; Dan Peterson; Oct. 21, 2009
- ABC News: Study: Exercise & Music Clear the Brain; Lee Dye
- Washington State University; "Effects of Music & Exercise"; Z. J. Cole; 2010
- "Journal of Undergraduate Research"; Music's Effect on Mood & Helping Behavior; Jaden Ganser and Fareen Huda; 2010
- University of Kentucky: Self-Motivation Aids Weight-Loss Success; Carl Nathe and Katie Pratt; June 10, 2010
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