Quick pre-workout tweak could improve your endurance by 20%, study finds
A study from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland found that listening to self-selected music during high-intensity exercise can increase endurance by nearly 20%. Participants cycled about six minutes longer when listening to their chosen music compared to exercising in silence. Despite longer workout times, physical exertion levels remained similar, suggesting music helps people tolerate effort rather than reducing actual strain.
- ▪Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä studied 29 recreationally active adults during cycling sessions at 80% of peak effort.
- ▪Participants exercised for about 36 minutes with self-selected music versus 30 minutes in silence.
- ▪Heart rate and physical markers were similar in both conditions, indicating perceived effort was reduced with music.
- ▪Lead researcher Andrew Danso stated that music helps people tolerate sustained effort longer without changing fitness levels.
- ▪The findings were published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
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Fitness Quick pre-workout tweak could improve your endurance by 20%, study finds Participants cycled nearly six minutes longer on average when listening to their own music choices By Kelly McGreal Fox News Published May 3, 2026 4:40pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video New study touts health benefits from longer walks Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to break down new research showing why longer walks may deliver greater health benefits than shorter ones. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Listening to your favorite music during a workout could help you exercise longer without feeling more exhausted, according to new research.
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