Pedal to the Beat: How Music Can Boost Your Cycling Performance
Music isn’t just for rocking out during warm-ups; researchers have discovered it can make a real difference to your cycling performance, too. Picture this: hitting the open road, the rhythm of your favorite track matching your cadence, pushing you further and allowing you to tackle those long, tough climbs with renewed vigor.
A study by DISCOVERY News
Professor Karageorghis
, a leading expert in applied music research, has especially tapped into the ways music can elevate exercise.
During his research at Brunel University
, Karageorghis found that music can trick your brain into thinking exercise is easier than it actually is.
Professor Karageorghis
explains it this way
: *"When you’re cycling to music you enjoy, your brain focuses on that enjoyment. Those positive
emotions override the signals of fatigue. Essentially, music lets you push harder without feeling as much pain."*
But there’s a catch.
It’s about matching music to your ride. Professor Karageorghis explains
that "music’s benefits only hold up to about 75% of your maximum effort." After that, your body needs to fully concentrateosha
on the signals sent from
muscles, declaring their struggles
. The research also shows that
choosingU.S.
"Randomly
"
doesn’t cut it (
. The
beats per minute (bpm
)
of your playlist needs to sync
up with your pedaling rhythm for the best results.
So how can you use this to maximize your next ride?
- Cool tunes for cool-downs
Feet
*
.
**: When things get tough, crank up the tunes, be Outside**
406
"
Insert image of Cyclist enjoying music
Important note: It’s vital to prioritize safety: always prioritize your
awareness and surroundings.
