THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND MUSIC IN SPORT

Miné Fourie 

@mine.fouriee 

 

Music has become a powerful psychological tool in sport. From training sessions to right before an Olympic final, music helps athletes gain confidence and get into a win-ready zone.

 

A big benefit of listening to music before a match is the motivation it gives an athlete. Fast-tempo songs create excitement and energetic feelings in a person’s mind. Music like this often leaves athletes feeling happier and more alert after listening to it. Charl Strydom, a former 800m athlete, comments that his go-to song before training or a race is ‘Running‘ by Beyoncé and ‘Naughty Boy’. He states that this song gives him the adrenaline he needs when he starts to slow down and lose momentum.

 

Music also helps with concentration because most athletes are nervous before races or matches. By listening to familiar songs, the outside world gets blocked out, and people can enter a calmer and more positive state of mind. Motivational music has been found to improve self-esteem and self-belief. Athletes feel more prepared for matches when the correct music is being played, which strengthens their mindset for winning. Johannes Adam, the NWU’s number-two-ranked men’s tennis player, says that his favourite song to listen to before a match is ‘Don’t Stop Believin’. He says that he likes the feeling the song gives him because he feels more energised and ready to play.

 

Lienke Badenhorst, the number two-ranked women’s tennis player for the NWU, shares that her most played song before a match is ‘White Keys‘. “It helps me feel relaxed before a match when I am not listening to something that makes my heart beat faster, and in that way I can think more clearly and be more focused.” Some music has also been proven to help calm nerves and slow heart rate, which can be valuable in high-pressure sporting moments.

 

Research also supports the effect music has on physical performance. Studies published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that music can reduce the feeling of fatigue during exercise and help athletes maintain endurance for longer periods. This means that music does not only help mentally, but can also improve how the body performs during training sessions. Many runners, cyclists, and gym athletes use playlists specifically designed to keep their rhythm and pace consistent.

 

Another important role of music in sport is routine. Athletes are creatures of habit, and listening to the same songs before competition can create a sense of familiarity. This routine helps reduce anxiety and signals to the brain that it is time to compete. Hearing one specific song repeatedly before performance can become a trigger for focus, confidence, and readiness.

 

Do not underestimate the power of what a good song can do for you before a game. With the right genre, you can go from nervous and self-conscious to confident and excited to play. Music can control your mood and influence your performance for the better. So choose carefully what you listen to – you might just become the best version of yourself on the playing field.

A soccer player listening to music before a match to gain confidence (Source: Shutterstock).

 

A woman changing her music during a run for a better feeling (Source: Women’s Health).

 

Edited by Isabel Burgers