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Music Boosts Workout Endurance by 20%

Published on June 22, 2026, 12:40 p.m.
Music Boosts Workout Endurance by 20%

Topic: Research News

Scientists found that listening to music you like can help you exercise for longer. In a study, people who listened to their favorite songs while cycling were able to ride for nearly six minutes more than those who exercised in silence.

Cycling is a great way to stay fit and healthy. But sometimes it can be hard to keep going when you're feeling tired or uncomfortable. A recent study found that listening to music you like can help make exercise feel easier and last longer. Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland asked 29 adults to cycle at high intensity while listening to their own favorite songs or exercising in silence. The results showed that people who listened to music were able to keep going for an average of 35.6 minutes, compared to 29.8 minutes without music. That's a difference of nearly six minutes! The researchers think that this is because the music helps you tolerate discomfort and stay motivated to keep exercising. This could be especially helpful for people who struggle to stick with exercise routines or need motivation to push themselves harder. The study was published in the journal Psychology of Sport & Exercise and could have important implications for athletes, coaches, and anyone trying to improve their fitness level.

Implications

Scientists found that listening to music you like can help you exercise for longer. In a study, people who listened to their favorite songs while cycling were able to ride for nearly six minutes more than those who exercised in silence.


Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260508003123.htm

Journal Reference:

  1. Andrew Danso, Jasmin C. Hutchinson, Vesa Laatikainen-Raussi, Bianca J. De Lucia, Tomi Vänttinen, Kady Long, Elia Burbidge, Simon Walker, Johanna K. Ihalainen, Geoff Luck. Feel the beat, not the burn: Effects of self-selected music in time-to-exhaustion cycling. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2026; 85: 103116 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2026.103116

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