Build that workout playlist now—it could be your secret weapon against mental fatigue. New research from the University of Alicante shows that upbeat music alters how we perceive effort during exercise, helping maintain peak performance.
Feeling mentally drained before a run? Your personal music playlist might be the fix. In a study led by exercise physiologist Shaun Phillips at the University of Alicante (Spain), 18 runners in a state of mental fatigue—induced by a demanding cognitive test—performed just as well as when rested, thanks to their favorite tracks. Personally selected music motivates during exercise, offering a reliable way to sustain performance even under fatigue, according to Phillips.
The team ran multiple tests to explore music's impact on athletic output. Participants first completed a thirty-minute cognitive test to simulate mental exhaustion, then tackled a physical challenge. Results showed that with stimulating music, their performance matched levels in the absence of such fatigue, without prior music or testing.
Researchers guided participants in selecting energizing songs via a detailed questionnaire on melody, rhythm, style, tempo, and more. Popular picks included Survivor – Eye of the Tiger, A$AP Rocky – Everyday, Avicii – Addicted to You, and Jay-Z – Run This Town.
As Phillips notes, mental fatigue affects daily life and sports for many. This simple strategy—listening to chosen music—helps preserve the benefits of sports sessions, ensuring gains even when conditions aren't ideal.
