Author(s): KOCH, L., SCHITTENHELM, A., BRANDT, T., ANDRES, D., ADLER, P., FAIRHURST-MENUHIN, M., SCHMIDT, A., Institution: BUNDESWEHR UNIVERSITY MUNICH: UNIVERSITAT DER BUNDESWEHR MUNCHEN, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 1926

INTRODUCTION:
The aim of the present study was to investigate how exposition to slow compared to fast music during high-intensity rowing intervals affects performance, heart rate (HR), lactate, relative perceived exertion (RPE), and recovery.
METHODS:
The study followed an A/B crossover design where participants (N = 21) performed 5 x 500 m rowing intervals under 2 different conditions, fast and slow beat music. Primary endpoint was the difference in total rowing time between conditions. Differences in average heart rate (HR), average RPE as well as rowing interval times, RPE, and HR per interval between the fast and slow music conditions were secondary endpoints. For exploratory purpose, the drop of HR and lactate during the first 5 min after completion of the rowing intervals were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Participants had significantly shorter total rowing times while listening to fast compared to slow music (p = .009, rB = .59) with the greatest difference found during the 1st interval. Further, the 1st interval was significantly faster than the intervals 2–5 (p < .001). The largest drop in performance occurred during the fast music condition between the 1st and 2nd interval. While average HR in the slow music condition was significantly lower compared to the fast music condition (p = .03, rB = .48), no significant difference was found for average RPE (p = .47, rB = .02). Lactate values after completion of interval 5 differed significantly between groups with lower values in the slow music condition (p = .05, rB = .41) whereas no significant difference was found for lactate drop (p = .21, rB = .21). Contrary, participants showed a higher HR drop rate when listening to slow music (p = .05, rB = .42).
CONCLUSION:
While fast music improved performance without elevating RPE, slow music was superior in terms of recovery. Systematically tailoring music to the intended training stimulus offers broad potential for competitive sports as well as the fitness and health sector.