Some research suggests that music tempo is also a factor in the relationship between music and exercise. In one study, up-tempo music, more than slower music or no music at all, promoted positive moods during exercise. Another study of Russian weightlifters proposed that the speed of an exercise should be matched to the beat for maximum impact.
Music is a welcome distraction that keeps negative thoughts at bay, which is "one of the top challenges I run across with athletes," says psychologist Cleere.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday June 29, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 31 words Type of Material: Correction
Fitness music -- In Monday's Health section, a photo caption with an article on music and athletic performance misspelled the last name of the deejay. He is Gabriel Diggs, not Biggs.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Monday July 04, 2005 Home Edition Health Part F Page 8 Features Desk 0 inches; 32 words Type of Material: Correction
Fitness music -- In last week's Health section, a photo caption with an article on music and athletic performance misspelled the last name of the DJ. He is Gabriel Diggs, not Biggs.
The danger comes when the athlete becomes dependent upon music during training, then has to go without during a competition, especially long, grueling races such as marathons and triathlons.
Gale Bernhardt, the 2004 men's and women's Olympic triathlon coach, cautions athletes not to incorporate it into every workout so that it doesn't become an unbreakable habit. "I want them to be in tune with what their body is doing," she says. "In most elite racing situations you can't have music, and I want them to be able to work their way through what's going on, whether it's dealing with pain or those evil little thoughts in your head that tell you bad things are happening."
She suggests using a mantra, "A few lines or words that are motivating that can come into their head and make them think positive thoughts, something you can say with every foot strike or pedal stroke." At least half of athletes she deals with who use this method, she thinks, use song lyrics.
Bernhardt, also a triathlete, uses the method and prefers "songs with lyrics that are motivating, because it's easier for me to visualize things if the words are powerful."
Bob Seger's "Shakedown," for example, is a favorite; the lyrics "Shakedown, breakdown, takedown, everybody wants into the crowded line. Breakdown, takedown, you're busted" works especially well when she's on a competitor's tail.
Check triathlete Mark Fretta's iPod while he's training and he'll probably be listening to Van Halen, U2, LL Cool J or Method Man, tunes with a good beat that are up-tempo. One thing is for sure -- he'll be listening to something, probably even in the pool.
"Music is like the legal drug I use in my training," says Fretta, a USA Triathlon National Team member from Colorado. "When I race, I have music going through my head. I've tried to have a playlist in my brain, but it doesn't work that way. It comes to me, I don't have to force it."
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Marianne Szegedy-Maszak contributed to this report.
