Music and video are utilised by recreational gym users to enhance
their exercise experience. Music and video have not been
investigated for their combined ergogenic effect during high
intensity exercise. To induce fatigue, this study was performed
in warm (~26°C), moist conditions (~50%RH). Six, nonacclimated,
male participants took part in the study. Each participant
completed three 30-minute exercise bouts on a motorised
treadmill under three counterbalanced conditions on separate
days: control (CON), motivational music plus video intervention
(M), non-motivational intervention (NM). They completed
a warm-up (5 km·h-1 [5 minutes], 9km·h-1 [10 minutes])
followed by a maximal effort run (15 minutes). Participants did
not receive any feedback of time elapsed, distance run or speed.
Measures: Distance covered (metres), heart rate, blood lactate
accumulation (Blac) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).
Participants in the M condition ran significantly further than in
the NM (M: 3524 [388]metres; NM: 3110 [561]metres; CON:
3273 [458]metres) and CON conditions, accumulated more Blac,
but did not increase their peak RPE rating (p < 0.05). The M
intervention improved tolerance of high intensity exercise in
warm conditions. It was proposed that a change in attentional
processing from internal (physical sensations) to external perspective
(music and video) may have facilitated this improvement.
These findings have strong implications for improving
health, fitness and engagement in gym-based exercise programs.