The Roles Music Can Play in Athletic Performance
There is nothing better than listening to your favorite hype song before you race at a meet. Music plays an essential role in getting athletes prepared for swim meets and even practice, too. Let’s take a look at some of the positive results music has on individuals and their athletic performance.
Motivation
Upbeat songs with motivational lyrics are bound to get swimmers fired up on race day. Listening to music that gets you pumped up before a swim meet leads swimmers to feeling confident and ready to go. Swimmers who go into a meet feeling confident are more likely to perform better than those who feel timid.
Stress Relief
Music works as a way to calm the nerves, allowing swimmers to feel more relaxed when preparing to race. Some swimmers prefer to listen to tranquil music rather than upbeat songs because calming tunes are more likely to keep the heart rate down and the mind relaxed.
Mood
Swimmers listen to songs they enjoy because it helps boost their energy and gets them in the right mindset for what they are about to do. Often times, swim meets can be chaotic and loud due to the crowded deck space and cheering fans. Music serves as a distraction from all the noise around you, which can help keep you focused on what you need to do for your team.
Power
Music is simple, yet so powerful. Songs have the power to lift athletes up and push them through tough times. Not every practice or race is going to be easy, but a musical boost helps make it a little more bearable. Training without music might leave athletes constantly thinking about the negative thoughts floating through their head. On the other hand, training with music can make a difference in the attitude and effort that swimmers put toward their practices because it gives them that extra push during a challenging set.
Enjoyment
Not only does music get athletes focused and pumped up before a meet, it also helps swimmers enjoy their training environment. It creates a fun and upbeat culture which helps set the tone for the team. When the entire team is having fun training together and listening to good tunes, they are more likely to push each other and thrive due to the positive environment.
Music plays a key role in athletic performance for several reasons. It serves as a motivating factor, calming source and it sets the foundation for enjoyment during practice.