The Impact of Music on Rating of Perceived Exertion and Perceived Fatigue During an Acute Light and Moderate Intensity Deadlift Session in Recreationally Active Adults

Self-selected music has been found to have an ergogenic effect on certain parameters of resistance training (e.g., maximal strength) and studies have largely focused on upper body outcomes (e.g., bench press or handgrip). However, very few studies have examined lower body exercises as well as compared exercise intensities. PURPOSE: To determine, compared to no music, the effect music has on perceived exertion and fatigue during an acute session of the deadlift exercise at various intensities. METHODS: 12 recreationally active adults (n=5 females, n=7 males, age: 29.9±7.5 yrs; mass: 87.7±27.6 kg; height: 178.1±12.1 cm) completed 4 sets of 6 repetitions of the deadlift exercise at a light (3-4 on 0-10 RPE scale) and moderately heavy (6-8 on 0-10 RPE scale) intensity (8 total sets), with participants randomly completing 2 sets at each intensity with or without music. Music was self-selected by participants with a >120 beats per minute tempo as well as 70-80 decibels. Following each 2-set condition (light vs moderate and music or no music) rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined using the OMNI-RES 0-10 scale and perceived fatigue was measured with a visual analog scale for fatigue (VAS-F). A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used (for music x intensity analyses) or a paired t-test (for music independent intensity analyses), p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a main effect (p<0.001) for light intensity being lower than moderate intensity independent of music condition for RPE and VAS-F. However, no significant main effects or interactions were seen for no music vs music conditions during light intensity (RPE = 3.8±0.8 vs 3.8±0.9 AU; VAS-F = 3.7±1.5 vs 3.7±1.6 cm; p>0.99) and moderately heavy intensity (RPE = 7.2±1.0 vs 7.1±1.0 AU; VAS-F = 5.6±1.3 vs 5.5±1.6 cm; p=0.98) deadlifts. CONCLUSIONS: During an acute session of the deadlift exercise, compared to no music, self-selected high tempo music does not influence perceived exertion and fatigue at light and moderately heavy intensities. Thus, individuals who deadlift with or without music should be aware of these findings.