The Effect of Music on Athletes before Their Big Games

Recent years have seen growing interest among human behavior scholars and sports psychologists about the intricate connection between music and sports preparation (Bishop, Karageorghis & Loizou, 2007). It is postulated that music can greatly impact athletes' performance in big games, whether during warm-ups, training, or even before the game's commencement. This essay will critically analyze the effect of music on athletes before their significant games.

Effects of Music on Psychological States

Music can significantly impact athletes' psychological state before significant games, and it's noted to enhance their mood and evoke a multitude of emotions straightaway (Karageorghis & Priest, 2012)[1]. Lyrics that resonate with the athletes can shift their emotional states and cultivate positive moods which ultimately reduces stress and anxiety before a significant game. Music aids in reducing cortisol levels, often associated with stress, thus significantly reducing pre-game jitters (Thoma et al., 2013)[2].

Influence on Focus and Concentration

In the shot of pre-game complacency, athletes use music to shift their mental attention from the upcoming event to the rhythm, lyrics, and beat of the preferred songs (Juslin et al., 2009)[3]. This shift helps them focus and concentrate better by centering their energy on their skills and game strategy, reducing distraction of the pressure-filled environment.

Effect on Physiological State

Music also influences the athletes' physiological state. Athletes who listen to stimulating music before their games can experience enhanced arousal, with the heart rate and blood pressure heightened (Loizou & Karageorghis, 2015)[4]. It is theorized that music engages the athletes' autonomic nervous system, priming them for the upcoming task.

Use of Music for Motivation

Music serves as a significant tool for motivation for athletes before a big game. Fast tempo and rhythmical songs can increase the athletes' motivation manifold (Bishop, Karageorghis & Loizou, 2007)[5]. Motivational music fills the athlete with positive thoughts, increases self-belief, and instigates a can-do attitude.

As highlighted, the effect of music on athletes before their big games is manifold and worth understanding. It aids in enhancing athletes' psychological states, maintaining focus and concentration, improving their physiological state, and acting as a tool for motivation. As athletes prepare to face the intense and grueling nature of big games, the use of music stands as an integral part of their pre-game warm-up, cementing its role in sports preparation.

References

[1] Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise

domain: a review and synthesis (Part II). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 67–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2011.631027

[2] Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). The effect of music on the human stress response. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e70156. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3734071/

[3] Juslin, P. N., Liljeström, S., Västfjäll, D., Barradas, G., & Silva, A. (2009). An experience sampling study of emotional reactions to music: listener, music, and situation. Emotion, 9(5), 668. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0016044

[4] Loizou, G., & Karageorghis, C. I. (2015). The psychological, psychophysical, and ergogenic effects of music in swimming: A review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 8(2), 213–234. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2015.1064629

[5] Bishop, D. T., Karageorghis, C. I., & Loizou, G. (2007). A grounded theory of young tennis players’ use of music to manipulate emotional state. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29(5), 584–607. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsep/29/5/article-p584.xml