Eminem can help you run a lot more than “8 Mile” as a new study reveals listening to the rapper’s hits can boost athletic performance by up to 10 per cent.
A research team from Hartpury University Centre in the UK spent three months monitoring the physiological effects of different music genres on British swimmer Ben Hooper ahead of his 3,200-kilometre swim across the Atlantic in December.
Eminem tracks including Lose Yourself and Without Me were shown to significantly increase both power and endurance during periods of prolonged and intense exercise.
The researchers worked to develop a “soundtrack to success” by monitoring Hooper’s output over nearly 25,000 lengths of an indoor swimming pool while he listened to different styles of music.
Eminem’s tracks were found to have a “highly motivational edge”, improving Hooper’s perceived levels of effort. Fatigue also improved.
He also recorded an improvement in his speed of nearly 10 per cent above average while listening to certain songs.
Music from The Script and Swedish House Mafia also proved to be beneficial.
On the flip side, songs by Bob Marley and other reggae artists brought no noticeable improvement in speed and required more effort from Hooper during laps.
The Soundtrack of Success Top 10 Strong Songs for Optimum Athletic Performance:
- Lose Yourself – Eminem
- Not Afraid – Eminem
- Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia
- Hall of Fame – The Script
- Remember the Name – Fort Minor
- Stay – Sash
- We Come 1 – Faithless
- The Day Is My Enemy – The Prodigy
- Without Me – Eminem
- Back in the U.K. – Scooter
The Soundtrack of Success Top 10 Songs to Avoid for Optimum Athletic Performance:
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- World Looking In – Morcheeba
- Tear Drop – Massive Attack
- Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
- Kelly Watch The Stars – Air
- One Love/People Get Ready – Bob Marley
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