The effect of music on running pace

Abstract: This study investigated the application of music as a factor in influencing running pace of runners. Thiry runners of varying ages, paces, and distances run per week were individually tested on two runs: one, with music, using a portable cassette player; the other without music. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in actual, as well as perceived, running pace between the ecperimental conditions. Of the thirty runners: nineteen actually increased their pace, twenty runners perceived an increase in running pace, three maintained there was no change and seven felt the music decreased their running pace. In addition, most runners reported that they enjoyed running to music, and felt that it assisted them in diverting attention from the actual run, thereby enhancing the total running experience.

Keyword(s): Running-pace.

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