The effects of musical auditory stimulation on cardiorespiratory variables after aerobic exercise

Objective: To investigate the effect of music auditory stimulation on cardiorespiratory parameters in recovery from exercise. Methods: Thirty-five healthy men underwent an experimental protocol with three steps: maximal exercise test, control protocol and music protocol. The control protocol consisted of 15 minutes of rest, followed by 30 minutes of exercise on a treadmill and 60 minutes of recovery. In the music protocol volunteers were exposed to music auditory stimulation during exercise and recovery from exercise. We analyzed the following parameters: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and blood oxygen level during the initial rest stage and recovery. Results: Statistical differences in heart rate between rest and post exercise (P < 0.05, 5%) were found from the 1st to the 40th minute in the music protocol while in the control protocol was observed until the end of recovery. For systolic blood pressure, differences were found until the 10th minute of recovery in the control protocol and until the 7th minute in the music protocol. Conclusion: Music auditory stimulation accelerated the recovery of heart rate and systolic blood pressure, however we can not state that this method alone can improve recovery after exercise in healthy subjects.