You probably have always known this intuitively, but a playlist – even a single song – can encourage you to push harder during your workout. Listening to a song during your sweat session can rev your heartbeat so much that it mimics the effect of a legal performance-enhancing drug.
Now there is science to back it up. With MRI scans and new research* on the way music affects the body, scientists have a better understanding of how a specific sequence of tunes can make a big difference in your fitness achievements. Creating the right playlist can boost your performance, amp your motivation and speed your recovery after you are finished.
So go ahead. Forge a connection between music and your drive. Let the beat control your body!
*PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)