Effects of perceived groove in music on cycling performance and intermuscular coherence between trunk and lower limb muscles

Abstract

Objectives

This study investigated the effects of perceived groove on cycling performance and explored underlying neuromuscular control mechanisms.

Design

Repeated-measures design.

Methods

Twenty-four university students completed the cycling task under three conditions: metronome, low-groove music, and high-groove music. Each task included 3 min of low-torque and 3 min of high-torque cycling. Measurements included pedal cadence, pedal cadence variability, work output, and intermuscular coherence between the trunk and lower limbs.

Results

In low-torque cycling, pedal cadence variability was significantly lower in metronome than in low-groove music and high-groove music; coherence areas (A_Z) in the γ band for the erector spinae and soleus were significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music (ps < 0.05). In high-torque cycling, pedal cadence was significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music and metronome, and higher in low-groove music than in metronome, pedal cadence variability was significantly lower in high-groove music and metronome than in low-groove music, and work output was significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music and metronome (ps < 0.05). The A_Z values in the α and γ bands for the rectus abdominis and gastrocnemius lateralis and the erector spinae and gastrocnemius medialis and in the γ band for the erector spinae and gastrocnemius lateralis were significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music (ps < 0.05).

Conclusions

Perceived groove during high-torque cycling increased pedal cadence and work output, potentially due to increased cortical and subcortical drive shared between trunk and lower limb muscles.