“I will survive, yeah yeah”, “It’s in Canary Bay, ouh ouh”, “I just can’t get enough”… Everyone has their favorite title but anyone who has ever participated in a long race knows how important a Upbeat music is essential when you’re exhausted, your thighs are on fire and your calves are as hard as wood. 68% of French people run to music, according to the Running Observatory.
However, since 2015, the French Athletics Federation has banned the listening to music during official competitions because it would lead to unequal opportunities between runners. On the occasion of the Paris Marathon which will take place on April 7, we sought to find out if music, an undeniable source of motivation, could really boost the physical abilities of athletes.
Forgetting the pain
First question: can music be considered a doping agent? To fall into this category, the substance or process must make it possible to improve sporting performance, present a real or potential risk to health or be contrary to the spirit of sport. A process that allows the use of other prohibited substances or methods to be masked is also considered doping.
If music cannot be seen as a doping agent, does it nevertheless meet the first criterion of optimizing physical abilities? “The auditory signal allows you to divert your attention to something other than your sensations,” explains sports cardiologist Laurent Uzan. We listen less to his pain, his difficulty breathing and his body fatigue. » In certain hospital departments, caregivers also use music to reduce the quantity of pain medication in the context of chemotherapy or palliative care.
An auditory-motor loop
“A study shows that when we make people with Parkinson’s disease listen to rhythmic music during their rehabilitation, the steps are easier,” adds the cardiologist at the Paris Seine-Saint-Denis university hospitals. Jean-Jacques Monsuez.
A sort of unlocking that can be explained neurobiologically. “In our brain there is privileged connectivity between the auditory and motor regions,” explains Hervé Platel, professor of neuropsychology at the University of Caen and unit director at Inserm. Dancing music makes us want to tap our feet. A baby will naturally waddle when listening to a stimulating sound. This is explained by a neurophysiological training effect also called the “auditory-motor loop”. Listening to a rhythmic, structured and repetitive sound will therefore allow you to synchronize with the tempo and therefore have a better stride.
Dopamine and endorphin
This is not, however, a placebo. The neurophysiological impact is very real (as explained above) and in the brain, listening to music will activate the reward circuit. “Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and oxytocin which give us a feeling of well-being and euphoria, will be released,” continues the professor of neuropsychology.
“The cerebral effect of music is obvious,” summarizes Laurent Uzan. But on a pure physical level, there is no cardio or metabolic effect. » However, the psyche will ultimately have an impact on the body because the easier training is, the more we train and the more performance improves.
Listening to music before a run would also be very effective. So here is the solution to counter the ban if you are aiming for 3h30 in the marathon. Be careful, this only works with music you like. No need to force yourself eye of the tiger while you can’t stand Rocky.