Effects of rhythmical and extra-rhythmical qualities of music on heart rate during stationary bike activities

Backgorund: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rhythmical and extra-rhythmical qualities of music on the heart rate (hr) and rates of perceived exertion (rpe), during sub-maximal stationary bike activity. MeThodS: hr of 28 female adult participants was monitored during 3 session of physical activity, performed under 3 different conditions: hi-BpM (music with 150-170 BpM), rhyThM (rhythmical qualities only of hi-BpM condition) and control condition without music (conTROL). Four parameters were analyzed: the highest HR value (High-HR), High-HR minus starting HR (?HR), time to reach the 75% of Maximal HR (MHR) (TimeTo75%) and time over 75% MHR (TimeOver75%). HR trend analysis was performed to evaluate differences among the three conditions. oMni-cycle Scale was administered to evaluate rpe. RESULTS: MANOVA showed signifcant differences between the three conditions in TimeTo75%, δHR (P<0.01) and TimeOver75% (P<0.05). In RHYTHM and CONTROL conditions after reaching 75% MHR, the HR increase were signifcantly lower than Hi-BPM (P<0.01). No signifcant differences were found in OMNI-Cycle Scale scores of Hi-BPM and RHYTHM whereas RPE was signifcantly higher in CONTROL condition (P<0.05). concluSionS: hi-BpM and rhyThM music allowed a faster reaching of the aerobic training zone compared to conTrol conditions. Nevertheless, after 75% MHR, extra-rhythmical qualities are necessary to maintain or to increase the working HR levels.