How Music Can Moderate Stress and Anxiety Levels in Order to Improve Athletic Performance

Abstract

Many studies have shown music's ability to influence the body through changes in things like heart rate or blood pressure. Music with a slow tempo has the capability of decreasing sympathetic activity, while fast paced tempos are capable of increasing sympathetic activity. Because of this strong influence on the sympathetic nervous system, music can be used as a tool to lower stress and anxiety levels. While the incorporation of music into overwhelming situations can be beneficial for the general public, it is especially beneficial for athletes. Competitive athletes often face performance anxiety, and risk losing titles or careers if they are unable to cope with it during an event. When anxiety and stress levels are so elevated that it is detrimental to the athlete, slow music can help bring those levels down so that they are in the range of optimal performance. On the other hand, a certain amount of stress does help performance, so faster songs can also be used to stimulate athletes when they are overly relaxed. With the understanding of how different music affects the body, athletes can help elicit their desired physiological response depending on the situation at hand.