The Influence of Heart Rate on Time Perception during Music Listening

Abstract

We examined how changes in participants’ heart rate affect their estimation of time when listening to music. We manipulated participants’ heart rate using a cycling task on an exercise bike and by varying the tempo of music. The heart rates of 48 participants were measured before and after the pedaling task on the exercise bike. One week later, they listened to the music and estimated the temporal duration (60 seconds) under the non manipulated condition (without exercise) and heart rate manipulated condition (with exercise). The results showed that the duration of the music (60 seconds) was underestimated after light exercise and overestimated after strenuous exercise. These results suggest that the acceleration of the internal time mechanism due to an increase in the heart rate affects the perceived duration of time with relation to music.