The effect of self-selected music on endurance running capacity and performance in a mentally fatigued state

We investigated the effects of listening to self-selected music on intermittent running capacity (study 1) and 5 km time-trial (TT) performance 2) in a mentally fatigued state. In study 1, nine physically active males performed 30-minute incongruent Stroop test (IST) followed by Yo-Yo recovery level 1 (YYIRT1) with (MF+MUSIC) without (MFONLY) music. They also completed baseline trial (BL). Study 2 repeated these trials recreational runners. Mental fatigue (MF) showed large increases following IST both studies ( d unb = 1.44 – 2.0). Intermittent was moderately greater MF+MUSIC (564 ± 127 m; 0.52) BL (551 106 0.51) vs. MFONLY (496 112 m). Time-trial small improvements (23.1 2.4 min; 0.28) (23.4 3.5 0.20) (24.1 3.2 min). Differences ratings perceived exertion between were trivial 0-0.47). Listening state negates negative impact MF endurance performance, potentially due altered perception effort when