Abstract
Effects of synchronous music were investigated in two field studies. In Study 1, music effects were assessed among two elite triathletes and six elite runners during three training runs. A custom-designed iPhone application was developed to record in-task RPE, feeling states, mood responses, distance run, cadence and heart rate data. Compared to the no-music condition, participants ran, on average, 7.5% and 7.2% further but reported lower RPE and more positive feelings and mood responses when running to synchronous music (d = .35) and a music-led condition (d = .29), respectively. In Study 2, nine elite ultra-distance athletes participating in 24-hr and 48-hr races listened to rotating playlists of synchronous motivational music, neutral music, audiobook and silence delivered by iPhone. During the 18-24 hr period, motivational music was associated with a 14 sec, 18 sec and 27 sec per 400-m lap improvement compared to silence (d = .39, p < .01), neutral music (d = .54, p < .001) and audio book (d = .54, p < .001) conditions, respectively. Collectively, findings supported the judicious use of music interventions among endurance athletes.