Music Moves the Bar:Effects of Self-Selected Music on Squat Velocity and Perceived Exertion in Recreationally Resistance-Trained Young Adults

Sammanfattning

Abstract Background: Self-selected music is commonly used in resistance training to increase motivation, regulate arousal, and influence perceived effort. These effects may be relevant during the barbell squat, where high concentric intent and rapid force production are required. Barbell velocity is an important indicator of squat performance, but it remains unclear whether self-selected music can acutely improve peak or mean concentric velocity during this exercise. Aim: This study aimed to examine whether self-selected music affects concentric barbell velocity and rating of perceived exertion during the back squat in recreationally resistance-trained young adults. Methods: Sixteen participants completed a randomized crossover study. Each participant performed two conditions: self-selected music and no music. Testing included a standardized warm-up followed by two sets of three repetitions at 60% of their self-reported squat one-repetition maximum. Participants were instructed to perform the concentric phase with maximal intended velocity. Peak and mean concentric barbell velocity were measured using a linear encoder. Rating of perceived exertion was reported using a 0–10 scale. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Peak concentric velocity was greater with self-selected music than in the no music condition: 1.370 m·s⁻¹, IQR 1.203–1.478, versus 1.295 m·s⁻¹, IQR 1.138–1.363; p = 0.001. Mean concentric velocity was also greater with self-selected music: 0.765 m·s⁻¹, IQR 0.720–0.837, versus 0.710 m·s⁻¹, IQR 0.675–0.778; p = 0.008. Rating of perceived exertion did not differ significantly between conditions: with self-selected music: 4.0 Arbitrary units (AU), IQR 3.0–5.0; no-music: 4.0 AU, IQR 4.0–5.0; p = 0.123. Conclusion: Self-selected music acutely increased peak and mean concentric barbell velocity during the squat exercise. Perceived exertion was unchanged. These findings suggest that self-selected music may be a simple and practical strategy to acutely improve movement velocity during resistance training in recreationally trained young adult