Advantages and disadvantages of listening to music while running

 

Listening to your favorite running tunes can give you a boost of energy or motivation to run long distances. But is it always a good idea to listen to music while running? Consider the pros and cons of running to music and take inspiration from your music playlists.

Benefits of running with music

Many runners find that listening to music is a great strategy to combat boredom while running. And if you think you're getting a little extra energy from listening to high-energy music, you're not expecting anything. Research has shown that listening to music can improve performance in athletes

However, it is important to note that the research examines the effect of music on the performance of amateur athletes or athletes in fictional race situations, not real race conditions. Competitors in a real race are more likely to experience competitive pressure as their adrenaline gets pumped up, so they don't necessarily need the extra stimulus of music.

Disadvantages of running with music

Running to the beat of the music can have downsides. One downside is that your tempo can be interrupted as you are likely to speed up or slow down depending on the beat of the music.

That is, unless alternate pace is part of your training schedule. You'll probably be fine too if you're not too busy with your pace to begin with. However, this can be a drawback when trying to develop a consistent pace for a particular race or exercise.

There are also security concerns to consider. Running to the music is less safe because it can be easier to distract yourself from your surroundings. This can make you more likely to be attacked by an animal or person. Running is very safe, but there have been incidents where runners have been attacked and even killed while running.

Some races may not allow headphones for safety reasons. Even if the race allows it, it may be a good idea not to use them, as you may not be able to hear instructions from race officials and volunteers, as well as other runners on the course.

Another caveat about using headphones while running is that you will miss out on a lot of the fun and excitement of running. You won't be able to hear groups or people chanting or talking with other race participants, which can be helpful and encouraging during long events.

Most importantly, when conducted outdoors, music can mask the noise from cars, cyclists, other runners, and even hostile dogs. A basic rule of thumb for managing etiquette is that you should always be able to hear others so you can walk away or stop if necessary. You may decide to save your running tunes to the treadmill, as you may need an extra distraction so you don't get bored.

Benefits of warm-up music

Fortunately, some research shows that you can still experience some of the benefits of listening to high-energy music even after listening to it. Another study found that listening to fast-paced music during a 10-minute warm-up performed better during high-intensity exercise, even when no music was present during the exercise itself.

So if you're concerned about safety or don't want (or aren't allowed to) wear headphones while running, you can always simulate Olympic athletes listening to high-energy motivational music while running. Warm up before the event. You'll likely get most of the same benefits from listening to music while running, but you can't be distracted from reaching your goal.