Acute Effects of Music-Accompanied and Non-Music Exercise on Perceived Exertion And Exercise Enjoyment in Athletes

Abstract

Enhancing motivation and reducing perceived exertion during exercise are critical objectives in sports science, both for optimizing athletic performance and ensuring long-term adherence to physical activity. In this context, music-accompanied exercise has been proposed as a potential intervention to positively influence athletes’ psychological states and overall exercise experience. However, its effects require objective evaluation, particularly in sports such as bocce, where strategy, concentration, and balance play a central role. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of a single session of music-accompanied and non-music exercise on perceived exertion (RPE) and exercise enjoyment (PACES) in individual bocce athletes aged 11–14 years. A quasi-experimental, crossover design was employed, involving 34 licensed athletes engaged in regular training. Each participant completed two separate standardized 20-minute exercise protocols on different days: one with music (120–130 BPM) and one without. The protocols consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 15 minutes of moderate-intensity anaerobic exercise, and a 5-minute cool-down. Post-exercise measurements were obtained using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Due to non-normal data distribution, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were applied (p<0.05). Findings indicated that, for both male and female athletes, music-accompanied exercise significantly reduced perceived exertion (p<0.001) and increased enjoyment (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between sexes or grade levels; however, consistent trends favoring the music condition were observed across all subgroups. In conclusion, music-accompanied exercise enhances the training experience of bocce athletes by reducing perceived exertion and increasing enjoyment, thereby potentially boosting motivation. These findings suggest that the deliberate integration of music into training programs for developing athletes may contribute to improved psychological well-being and greater engagement in sport.