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Hi,
I saw a "fact" account on twitter, write this:
"Listening to music increases your strength - Your brain is distracted by what you're hearing and doesn't concentrate on what you're lifting"
Now, is there merit to this? Because I replied suggesting that it does not make you stronger, because it is just distracting you. You are only able to lift what your body can, and that distraction is in the mind, and so just related to the perception of strength.
Now of course, if you are distracted, then you may be able to lift more. That may make you stronger in the long term. But I think the tweet is suggesting that at that moment, when you are lifting, the results of distraction is related to strength.
I've had a couple of people that wanted to "debate" this with me. I've stuck to what I think is right.
But what is right? Surely, the distraction does not make you immediately stronger?
I've tried googling this, but to no success. What do you think? Bonus points for anyone that can find credible sources, preferably with some science thrown in.
Thanks!
So basically I just googled: does music make you stronger
The top two results address your question directly and there are some references and links to studies as well (in the first link, you want to scroll down to point 3 and you can click the links in the text to view the studies they are referring to):
http://www.cracked.com/article_19006_the-5-weirdest-ways-music-can-mess-with-human-brain.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/music-during-exercise-can-make-you-stronger-and-smarter
It appears that music does indeed help and it does so in more ways than just distraction.
(Rating: 4) Thanks for taking the time to answer. However, I have already seen these resources. They all seem to miss the point I am trying to make. This is, your body is only as strong as it is. Listening to music distracts you, which makes you work out more. That will help to increase strength. But the music will not give you any more physical strength that you already had. You're just tapping into the energy you already have, but are unable to use because your thinking about the pain and such.
But, I thank you for your answer regardless.