The present study compared the effects of two different music
interventions on changes in emotional states before and during
running, and also explored effects of music interventions upon
performance outcome. Volunteer participants (n = 65) who
regularly listened to music when running registered online to
participate in a three-stage study. Participants attempted to attain
a personally important running goal to establish baseline performance.
Thereafter, participants were randomly assigned to
either a self-selected music group or an Audiofuel music group.
Audiofuel produce pieces of music designed to assist synchronous
running. The self-selected music group followed guidelines
for selecting motivating playlists. In both experimental groups,
participants used the Brunel Music Rating Inventory-2 (BMRI-
2) to facilitate selection of motivational music. Participants
again completed the BMRI-2 post-intervention to assess the
motivational qualities of Audiofuel music or the music they
selected for use during the study. Results revealed no significant
differences between self-selected music and Audiofuel music on
all variables analyzed. Participants in both music groups reported
increased pleasant emotions and decreased unpleasant
emotions following intervention. Significant performance improvements
were demonstrated post-intervention with participants
reporting a belief that emotional states related to performance.
Further analysis indicated that enhanced performance was
significantly greater among participants reporting music to be
motivational as indicated by high scores on the BMRI-2. Findings
suggest that both individual athletes and practitioners
should consider using the BMRI-2 when selecting music for
running.
Key words: Psychological skills, affect, mood, endurance,
performance, meta-emotional beliefs.