This study examined the effects of music versus no music on bench press strength (1RM) and endurance (number of repetitions at 60% of 1RM) in 12 subjects (6 male, 6 female). There were no significant differences in 1RM for males or females with music. However, females performed significantly more repetitions during the endurance test with music compared to without music, increasing their average by 4.2 repetitions. The study found no significant effects of music for males for either 1RM strength or endurance.

1. THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC ON BENCH PRESS
STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE
Joseph Frazey, Tyler Hewett, Brandie Holt, Melanie Le, and Garrison Niemiec
Department of Health and Exercise Science; University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Twelve total individuals were randomly selected for
this study. The first visit included a 1RM test on the
bench press followed by an MEF test which was
calculated by taking 60% of the 1RM weight. Both
tests were conducted without music. For the second
visit, the same tests were given, but with the use of
music; however, if a subject’s 1RM weight changed
during the second testing period, the 60% of the
initial 1RM weight was still used. All subjects brought
their own headphones and music playing devices
where they could choose their own genre of music.
The purpose of this study was to examine the acute
effects of music versus no music on one repetition
maximum bench press (1RM) and bench press
muscular endurance to failure (MEF) with a washout
period of at least 48 hours.
The analyses indicated no significant differences in
1RM strength in both male and female subjects with
the use of music; however, there were significant
statistical differences in endurance with the female
subjects (P = 0.05), but not male subjects (P = 1.0).
Introduction
Purpose
Methods
Results
Conclusions
Practical Application
The purpose of this study was to examine the acute
effects of music versus no music on one repetition
maximum bench press (1RM) and bench press
muscular endurance to failure (MEF). Six healthy
men (mean±SD age=22±2 yrs; stature= 183±5.5
cm; mass =85.4±11 kg) and six healthy women
(mean±SD age=22±1 yrs; stature= 164.5±5.3 cm;
mass =63.8±5.3 kg) performed a 1RM and MEF
two different times. There was at least a 48-hour
washout period between the series of tests. There
were no changes in 1RM and MEF with music for
the male participants; however, there were changes
in 1RM and MEF with music for the female
participants. When using music for motivation, the
female participants increased by 4.2 repetitions
during the MEF test.
Subject
(Male)
No Music
1RM Music 1RM No Music Reps Music Reps
1 175 175 26 25
2 265 270 23 23
3 185 185 22 24
4 220 215 21 22
5 145 150 26 27
6 250 245 23 20
Mean ± SD
206.7 ±
43.3
206.7±45.
2 23.5 ± 2.1 2.64 ± 0.58
Table 1. The male subject’s bench press testing results.
The main findings of the present study revealed that
there were no significant statistical differences in
1RM strength in both male and female subject
groups; however, there were significant statistical
differences in MEF endurance repetitions in the
female subject group, but not in the male group.
With the use of music as motivation, the female
group increased their repetitions on the MEF
endurance test with a mean increase of 4
repetitions.
Working out with music is purely a personal
preference. According to our study, it does not have
any effect on the male population in regards to
anaerobic workouts on the bench press. For females,
it does have an effect on endurance; therefore, if
someone is a female, working out with the
accompaniment of music could prove beneficial in
increasing repetition workouts.
Results (continued)
Table 1. The female subject’s bench press testing results.
Subject
(Female)
No Music
1RM Music 1RM No Music Reps Music Reps
1 105 110 15 21
2 60 60 25 29
3 125 125 27 30
4 85 85 22 22
5 95 100 17 28
6 115 115 16 17
Mean ± SD 97.5 ± 23.2 99.2±23.5 20.3 ± 5.04 24.5 ± 5.2
Figure 1. The comparison of 1RM with music and without music for
males and females.
Figure 2. The comparison of muscular endurance to failure with music
and without music for males and females.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Men No Music 1-RM Men Music 1-RM Women No Music 1-
RM
Women Music 1-RM
BenchPress1-RM(lbs.)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Men No Music Reps Men Music Reps Women No Music
Reps
Women Music Reps
Repswith60%1-RM