Using beat frequency in music to adjust running cadence in recreational runners: A randomized multiple baseline design. 2023

Mark Te Brake, and Niki Stolwijk, and Bart Staal, and Bas Van Hooren
Fysio Oude IJsselstreek, Terborg, The Netherlands.

Running with music has been shown to acutely change cadence. However, it is unclear if the increased cadence remains long-term when running without music in an in-field situation. The aim of this 12-week study was to investigate the effect of a 4-week music running program on cadence, speed and heartrate during and after the music running program. Seven recreational runners with a cadence of <170 steps per minute were randomly assigned to a baseline and post-intervention period of different durations. During the intervention phase, the participants ran with a musical beat that was 7.5-10% higher than their mean cadence at the start of the study. Cadence, heartrate and running speed were measured twice a week during a 5-kilometer run with a watch, and were analyzed using randomization tests and visual data inspection. Two participants dropped-out due to shortage of time (n = 1) and an acute calf injury (n = 1). Cadence significantly increased during the intervention period (+8.5%), and remained elevated during the post-intervention period (+7.9% (p = .001)) in comparison with the baseline period. Heartrate and running speed did not significantly change during any period. This study among five participants shows that four weeks of running with a musical beat that is 7.5-10% higher than the preferred cadence may be an effective and feasible intervention to increase running cadence. Importantly, the increased cadence occurred without simultaneous increases in running speed and heartrate, hereby potentially reducing mechanical loading without increasing metabolic load.HighlightsRunning with a musical rhythm that is higher than the preferred cadence leads to an increased running cadence, without increasing heartrate and running speed.This cadence remains elevated for at least three to five weeks after the music intervention period.All individuals showed a practically relevant increase in cadence during and after the intervention.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009146 Music Sound that expresses emotion through rhythm, melody, and harmony. Classical Music,Hip Hop Music,Jazz Music,Rap Music,Rock and Roll Music,Songs,Vocal Melody,Hop Music, Hip,Melodies, Vocal,Melody, Vocal,Music, Classical,Music, Hip Hop,Music, Jazz,Music, Rap,Song,Vocal Melodies
D006339 Heart Rate The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute. Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012420 Running An activity in which the body is propelled by moving the legs rapidly. Running is performed at a moderate to rapid pace and should be differentiated from JOGGING, which is performed at a much slower pace. Runnings

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