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Music during aerobic exercise increases time to exhaustion and improves performance in physically active adultsMusic helps active adults push harder during aerobic exercise

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Key Takeaway
Note that music during aerobic exercise consistently reduces perceived exertion in physically active adults.

This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of music during aerobic exercise on performance and physiological markers in physically active adults (n=339). The analysis synthesized data regarding time to exhaustion, fixed-duration performance, rating of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration, and heart rate.

Key findings indicate that music significantly increased time to exhaustion (SMD = 1.89; 95% CI 0.44 to 3.33) and improved fixed-duration aerobic exercise performance (SMD = 0.39; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.70). Additionally, participants reported lower ratings of perceived exertion (SMD = -0.36; 95% CI -0.67 to -0.04) and showed lower blood lactate concentrations (MD = -0.86 mmol/L; 95% CI -1.45 to -0.26). Heart rate was not significantly affected by music (MD = -1.16 beats/min; 95% CI -3.57 to 1.26).

The authors note that performance and physiological effects were outcome-dependent and should be interpreted cautiously. Certainty of evidence varies across outcomes, ranging from moderate for perceived exertion to very low for time to exhaustion. Clinical application is most consistent regarding the reduction of perceived exertion during aerobic exercise.

If you have ever felt like your legs were heavy or your lungs were burning during a run, you know how hard it is to stay motivated. New research suggests that adding a playlist to your workout might change how your body and mind handle that strain. The study looked at 339 physically active adults to see how music affects performance.

Researchers found that people listening to music could exercise for a longer period of time before getting exhausted. They also reported feeling less effort during their workouts, even though their heart rates did not change significantly. While the evidence for some physical markers like blood lactate levels is still limited, the link between music and feeling less tired is more consistent.

It is important to remember that these results are based on a mix of different studies. Because the data comes from various sources, the strength of the evidence varies depending on what specifically was being measured. While music can make your workout feel easier, talk to your doctor about how to safely manage your personal fitness goals.

What this means for you:
Music helps active people feel less tired and work out longer during aerobic exercise.

Common questions

Does listening to music actually make my workout easier?

Yes, the study found that music is consistently linked to a lower rating of perceived exertion. This means that while you are doing aerobic exercise, the effort feels less intense to your body and mind compared to exercising without music or with other types of background noise.

Can music help me exercise for a longer time?

The data shows that people who listened to music during aerobic exercise had a longer time to exhaustion. However, because this specific finding comes from a variety of different studies, the level of certainty for this result is currently considered low.

Does music change my heart rate or blood chemistry?

The study found that music did not significantly affect heart rate. It also showed lower blood lactate concentrations (by an average of 0.86 mmol/L), but the certainty for these specific physiological measurements is low and should be interpreted with caution.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedAug 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
Music is widely used in aerobic exercise, but its effects in physically active adults remain difficult to interpret because performance, perceptual, physiological, and psychological outcomes have often been examined separately. This review evaluated whether music-related interventions in aerobic exercise contexts are associated with performance, fatigue-related perceptions, physiological responses, and psychological outcomes in physically active adults. PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Scopus, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP Database were searched from inception to March 3, 2026, without language restrictions. Experimental studies comparing music-related conditions with no-music or other non-musical controls in aerobic exercise were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias; a third reviewer resolved disagreements. Meta-analyses were performed in Review Manager 5.4 using standardized mean differences (SMDs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Fifteen studies involving 339 participants were included. Music was associated with better fixed-duration aerobic exercise performance (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.70; I² = 30%), longer time to exhaustion in the primary analysis (SMD = 1.89, 95% CI 0.44 to 3.33; I² = 95%), lower rating of perceived exertion (SMD = −0.36, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.04; I² = 0%), and lower blood lactate concentration (MD = −0.86 mmol/L, 95% CI −1.45 to −0.26; I² = 57%). Heart rate was not significantly affected (MD = −1.16 beats/min, 95% CI −3.57 to 1.26; I² = 18%). GRADE certainty was moderate for rating of perceived exertion, low for fixed-duration performance, heart rate, and blood lactate, and very low for time to exhaustion. Music during aerobic exercise appears most consistently associated with reduced perceived exertion. Performance and physiological effects were more outcome-dependent and should be interpreted cautiously. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261354074, identifier CRD420261354074.
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