Date of Award
5-2021
Degree Name
Master of Music
Department
Music
First Advisor
Dr. Edward Roth
Second Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Fiore
Third Advisor
Dr. Julian Thayer
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Sangwoo Lee
Keywords
Synchronous music, asynchronous music, heart rate variability, flow, running
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
The primary purpose of this N-of-1 study was to examine whether running to synchronous, asynchronous, and no music affected the physiological measure of heart rate variability (HRV) and the perceptual measures of rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and experience of flow state while running. In this study, the term synchronous referred to music that is set at a tempo where running pace can synchronize to each beat. The term asynchronous referred to music set at a tempo where it is not possible to synchronize the running pace to each beat. A chest belt that measured heart rate variability via RR intervals, which equals the time elapsed between two successive R-waves of the QRS signal on the electrocardiogram, measured HRV. The Flow State Scale-2 measured the extent to which each participant experienced flow. The OMNI rating of perceived exertion scale measured participants’ perceived level of exertion. Two 21 year old, neural-typical, male subjects underwent three trials each. The trials consisted of running on a treadmill for 10 minutes to synchronous music, asynchronous music, and a white noise control. The results were visually analyzed. Participant one’s results indicated a positive effect on the perceptual measures of RPE and flow during the asynchronous music condition and a positive effect on HRV during the synchronous condition. Participant two’s results indicated a positive effect on the perceptual measures of RPE and flow during the synchronous condition and a positive effect on HRV during the control condition. Both participants’ results indicated the asynchronous condition was least effective at increasing HRV.
Recommended Citation
Gustafson, Jeni, "The Effect of Synchronous and Asynchronous Music on Heart Rate Variability and Mental State among Runners" (2021). Masters Theses. 5212.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/5212