Music Can Boost Your Running Performance by 15 Percent

It probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to runners out there that listening to music when running can increase your performance, but how much and why? In his book Inside Sport Psychology, Dr. Coastas Karageoghis claims that music can increase your running performance by a hefty 15 percent, but only if you're a certain type of runner.

The boost depends on what type of runner you are. In an interview with the Guardian Dr. Karageoghis explains that you're likely one of two different types of runners:

"Elite athletes," says Karageorghis, "are usually 'associators', which means they tend to focus inwardly when they are running." Most other runners, he says, are "dissociators" (or are somewhere between the two). This means they look for stimulus and distraction from what is going on around them.

If you're an associator that means you probably don't see much of a benefit from music, because you're not paying attention to the music at all. If you're a dissociator you can see the benefit and the tempo of the music can increase (or decrease) your speed. If you need some help putting together an exercise playlist, we've got you covered. How about you? Are you an associator or dissociator? Does music help you run faster?

Does music help you run faster? | The Guardian

Photo by Kai Chan Vong.