Effect of lyrics in music on perceived exertion of physical activity

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the role of the music with lyrics, music without lyrics and physical activity under condition of no music on the perceived exertion of male and female students during physical activity (running on treadmill). For this purpose, 23 students (11 males, 12 females) with an age range of 24.13 yrs were selected randomly among the available students. The participants underwent physical activity under condition of music with lyrics in the first session, same music without lyrics in the second session and no music in the third session. The test duration was 5 minutes for all participants and their running intensity was in correspondence with 80% of their maximum heart rate. The recovery period between each session was 48 hrs. After each session, the participants specified their rated perceived exertion (RPE) by completing the Borg scale questionnaire. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures revealed that music with lyrics had a significant effect on the participants' perceived exertion, but music without lyrics had no effect on their perceived exertion. With respect to the reduction of the perceived exertion rate during the use of music with lyrics, it can be concluded that the presence of lyrics in music reduces the participants’ perceived exertion and causes the activity time to seem shorter. It can be deduced that the presence of lyrics in music has a significant effect on the improvement of psychological conditions of athletes and their perceived exertion.