Music and running go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly. Music can be motivating, distracting, and inspirational. Most of us are guilty of using music to get our run started, to get us through the tough, to motivate us between miles, and finally, to energize us for those last miles up ahead. A recent journal article submited by Dr. Karageorghis and Lee to The Sport Journal talks about music and the effects it has on athletes. "In the hotbed of competition, where athletes are often very closely matched in ability, music has the potential to elicit a small but significant effect on performance", claims Dr Karageorhis. He explains how music can excite certain feelings in the athlete's brain resulting in a better equipped mindset. Arousal regulation, dissociation, and attainment of flow are three of five effects mentioned by Dr. Karageorghis that are, in my opinion, well suited for us runners.

Arousal regulation is the use of music to aid in creating emotions that will get us motivated enough to put our running gear on and head out the door. The upbeat songs are used as stimulants to get our blood flowing and our feet moving. Arousal regulation can also be used to calm us down during a cooling period after our workout. Soothing music will help relax our breathing resulting in a slower heartbeat.

Dissociation is the ability to allow music to occupy our minds with imagery associated to the song being listened to. Keeping the mind occupied with thoughts and images helps relieve the feeling of fatigue. Dissociation experienced during exercise minimizes the actual effort being exerted. Fairly upbeat and happy songs keep our mind playing a "movie" that keeps us occupied and disconnected from the road already covered.

Attainment of flow describes the use of songs that have personal, emotional attachment to give us the last bit of energy to complete our run. Certain moments in our lives are accompanied by songs that are somehow associated with that moment. The emotion that rises gives the body a surge of energy giving us the ability to finish our run strong. Compared to music we would use for motivation, these songs have a deeper, emotional meaning.

Well, there you have it. Next time you go for a run arrange your songs appropriately. Use the motivation of "Eye of the Tiger" to get you out the door, the distraction of songs like "Staying Alive" to make a movie out of, and emotional songs like Coldplay's"Viva La Vida" to help push through the toughest last miles.

Coach Al
coachal@rgrtraining.com
For more information on this subject and referred article visit:
http://www.thesportjournal.org/article/music-sport-and-exercise-update-r...