The Positive Power of Music and Sport

Music plays a considerably significant role in sports. Whether it’s increasing an athlete’s motivation and productivity during a training session, setting the tone at a sporting event, or unifying a team with a CD of specifically selected tracks, music and sport have the power to find common ground for people, bring them together, cross generation gaps and language barriers. Sport in Society’s Rhythm and Flow initiative examines the intersection of music and sport in society and how the two can be used to combat discrimination and promote human rights.

Research illustrates that music influences mood, which can encourage thoughts of physical activity depending on the rhythm and tempo of music (upbeat or relaxing). It has also been seen that music positively affects athletes during workouts. It is even said to provide one with a competitive advantage over those that do not listen to music. According to a study at Georgia Southern University, “sport psychologists advise their athletes to utilize music in order to prepare for competition” (Sorenson 2008).

With the appropriate music, a sporting event can be transformed into something so meaningful and magnificent in one’s life. Being that the Olympics Games are so fresh in everyone’s mind, it is a prime example of music unifying such a massive audience of eclectic backgrounds from hundreds of countries. The music evoked a stirring of emotions for everyone who watched the Games. They were that much more dramatic and the intensity, passion, and unity of countries throughout the Olympic Games were further emphasized through music.

It is also seen in the testimonies of the selected athlete’s from diverse backgrounds, that the incorporation of music “enhances the overall mood of a team as well as to decrease tension and stress within” (Sorenson 2008). Creating a sense of team unity is vital for a team’s success.

Music and sport are two incredibly powerful influences on today’s world. Both are different approaches that reach out to such a large number of individuals from vast backgrounds and cultures. The possibilities are great when the two conjoin in working to address some of the social issues being faced around the world.

References

Sorenson, L., Czech, R. D., Gonzalez, S., Klein, J., & Lachowetz, T. (2008). Listen Up! The Experience of Music in Sport - A Phenomenological Investigation. The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 10(2)