By Mitch Rice
Music has proven to be helpful in so many ways. It is one of the best things invented by man and has continued to transcend culture and language. Music is more than feeling the rhythm; it connects us to something higher.
You can use it as inspiration when you bet on NFL point spreads or practice for your next game. Below are some ways music can positively impact sports performance and help improve performance on the pitch.
Activates Autopilot
One of the positive music impacts on sports performance is allowing activating activates autopilot. According to research, once any athlete or anybody is familiar with an activity, they switch off and go into autopilot mode, which allies them to undertake tasks without thinking about them and even more strangely.
So with music, it shows that the brain will perform the tasks better with reasonable accuracy. If the autopilot is activated, you act without thinking about what you are doing because you have done it several times.
However, listening to music can encourage athletes to operate on autopilot, usually outside their conscious awareness. Therefore, it is always beneficial to have elite athletes operate on autopilot.
A recent study found that when elite golfers were asked to take a putt as quickly as possible while operating on autopilot, they had a higher success rate than when they took their time. High-pressure situations can sometimes lead to overthinking, but when an athlete operates on autopilot, this does not happen, and movements are performed naturally.
Helps Control Emotions
Another positive music impact on sports performance is that it helios to control emotions. Not only sports performances but music is also known to be a sound that helps heal people’s emotions, especially when in a bad mood.
This is because music has so many benefits on the brain, including boosting creativity, reducing stress, relieving anxiety and depression, and strengthening learning, memory, cognition, and so on.
However, research has shown that athletes can use music to manipulate their emotions before a game. An example is Athlete Dame Kelly Holmes, who said she listened to Alicia key’s ballad as part of her pre-event routine during the 2004 Olympic games to relax and allow her to be in her best performance.
Also, the great Micheal Phelps took a different dimension and would listen to you songs from Lil Wayne and Eminem to energize and motivate. So, as an athlete, all you need to do is find that song that can lighten your mood whenever you listen to it, which can help you be in your best form before a game.
Reduces Negative Thoughts
Another positive music impact on sports performance is that it reduces negative thoughts. Music can help control emotions and reduce negative thoughts because of how you feel whenever you listen to them. It depends on the kind of music you listen to because some might even increase negative thoughts based on the music lyrics.
However, listening to music improves an athlete’s performance by distracting them from any negative though that can come to their mind, which can hinder performance. Recent research has proved this, showing that most basketball players liable to perform poorly under pressure converted more free-throw shots after listening to an upbeat piece of music beforehand.
This music helps to distract them from the pressure of performing in front of a crowd. So, it is essential to get the music to will help distract you from negative thinking as an athlete.
Release Dopamine and Adrenaline for Better Performance
Another positive music impact on sports performance is that it helps to release Dopamine and adrenaline for better performance. Dopamine is known to be a chemical that is released in the brain that makes humans feel suitable. So having the right amount of Dopamine is essential for the body and the brain.
On the other hand, adrenaline is a hormone in the human adrenal glands that helps to prepare for stressful or dangerous situations. So, listening to music gives the body the chills and helps to trigger a release of Dopamine to the brain, which helps athletes perform better.
Improves Mood
Another positive music impact on sports performance is that it improves mood. As mentioned above, it releases Dopamine and adrenaline for better performance, so after doing that, there is no way it won’t improve mood. In addition, music helps to boost the hormone dopamine in the brain and helps to relieve feelings of depression and anxiety.
However, music is processed directly by the amygdala, the part of the brain that involves mood and emotions. So this helps every athlete to increase their mood, making them perform well in games.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
