| While music and sport are not generally talked | | | | and exercise is in the narrowing of a performer's |
| about in the same sentence, there are historic | | | | attention, which could divert attention away from |
| connections between two of modern culture's | | | | sensations of fatigue. The idea (marathon runners |
| biggest realms of influence. | | | | and triathletes refer to it as "dissociation") tends |
| Even as modern day basketball stars such as | | | | to promote a positive mood state. |
| Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Alan Iverson | | | | Because music is said to alter arousal levels, some |
| record their rap albums in an attempt to formalize | | | | believe it can be used, either as a form of |
| a crossover between sport and music, it's hardly | | | | stimulant before a competition or as a sedative to |
| a first for mixing the two. | | | | calm over-anxious athletes. The connection to |
| Indeed, as early as the 1930s and 1940s, | | | | rhythm and human movement can also promote |
| evidence existed that there was a natural | | | | increased levels of output among those engaged |
| connection. Jump bands, for example, often | | | | in sporting activity, the idea being a kind of |
| toured on the same bus as basketball teams, | | | | metronome that could propel an athlete to go |
| players and musicians fraternizing to the point of | | | | faster and harder than might otherwise occur |
| attending the other's events. | | | | without music being present. |
| A look at the rhythm associated with sports like | | | | Music is said to inspire superior performance, |
| basketball and music provides one similarity | | | | although personal taste seems to be the order of |
| between the two, but so does the sense that in | | | | the day. An example: classical music might not be |
| both music and sports, there are individuals | | | | thought of as a booster to sporting performance, |
| (soloists) that excel while remaining a part of a | | | | but it might to fans of classical music. |
| larger, cohesive group. | | | | Some scientists say listening to the right kind of |
| At sporting events such as baseball or hockey | | | | music could improve performance in sport by as |
| games, in cities such as Dallas, Houston and | | | | much as 20%. The difference in personal musical |
| Austin, music is often used to rile up crowds, not | | | | tastes when it comes to working out is |
| only during the game itself but also in pre-game | | | | underscored by the use of headphones in gyms |
| festivities. Some of the songs, such as "Who Let | | | | where the control of the environment can aid |
| the Dogs Out?" by the Baha Men, first became | | | | performance. |
| popular in sports stadiums, the tune eventually | | | | While fans of rock music might want to listen to |
| being named the number one sports anthem of all | | | | Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" as they do light |
| time by MTV. The phenomenon was driven by | | | | exercise, a more vigorous version of "Keep on |
| music distributor Pro Sports Marketing delivering | | | | Running" by the Spencer Davis Group or "Born to |
| the single to minor league baseball stadiums and | | | | Be Wild" by Steppenwolf might be more |
| other sporting arenas. Only later did the song | | | | appropriate. |
| make it to regular airplay by radio stations, a | | | | Companies associated with music, recognizing that |
| reflection of its popularity as a background song | | | | technology is impacting the traditional business |
| to games. | | | | model, are looking to further integrate music with |
| Music is also used to hold the attention of | | | | sport, the idea being to find ways of promoting |
| audiences at sporting events, notable examples | | | | artists. |
| being high school football halftimes or the Super | | | | There is also evidence of the integration of music |
| Bowl. Other observers point to the idea of musical | | | | in sports through video games, even to the point |
| acts using sports stadiums as a venue for | | | | where bands are taking it to a new level (the |
| concerts, at least symbolically making the | | | | Bare Naked Ladies appeared in at least one |
| connection to athletic competition. | | | | Electronics Arts Sports games, NHL 2002, two |
| The connection between sports and music is | | | | months before the release of the band's "All Their |
| arguably as strong as ever, especially with major | | | | Greatest Hits" album). |
| sports events embracing the concept. One | | | | As music continues to share an important place in |
| example is the band New Order's first | | | | modern day culture, it's also clear that sports is |
| number-one hit, "World in Motion," which became | | | | one of those icons as well. Little wonder then that |
| the official theme for the finals of the English | | | | the two continue to be closely linked. |
| World Cup. | | | | Music and sports in modern day culture continue |
| Some say athletes themselves embrace music to | | | | to enhance the lives of those who choose to |
| the point where their performance is in large part | | | | connect the two. Staying healthy is also an issue |
| dependent on the connection. | | | | worth embracing. |
| One way music may aid performance in sport | | | | |