Effects of different music tempo on aerobic performance in young women

Twenty four participants who have regular menstrual cycle volunteered to participate in this study. The order of the trials was assigned to the participants in a randomized cross-over design and all measurements were taken in 48 hours apart in luteal phase. Participants were exposed to three trials for Bruce Protocol with different music tempo. The music conditions for each trial were randomised between fast-tempo music (FTM-140 beat per minute (bpm)), medium-tempo music (MTM-120 bpm) and no-music control (NM). Aerobic performance [maximum oxygen consumption time (VO2max-time), maximum running time (Rmax-time)] and physiological [maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), time of respiratory exchange ratio 0.85 (RER0.85-time), time of respiratory exchange ratio 1.00 (RER1.00-time), maximum ventilation (Vmax), heart rate at 3 minutes (HR3min), 6 minutes (HR6min), 9 minutes (HR9min), maximum heart rate (HRmax) and maximum breathing frequencies (BFmax)] data were collected for each trial. The results showed that the Rmax-time, HR6min and BFmax were significantly higher for both tempo with music in comparison with the NM (p<0,05). Furthermore, RER0,85-time and HR9min were significantly greater in the FTM than in the NM (p<0,05). As a conclusion, this study suggests that both tempos music during maximum aerobic effort can increase maximum running time. Additionally, FTM is highly recommended in order to maintain using fat oxidation from low to moderate exercise intensities. Key words: Maximum oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate, ventilation, breathing frequencies