Harmonizing Balance: Can the Music You Hear Affect Your Postural Stability?
Whilst most research regarding balance and falling seem to concentrate on populations over 65 years old, it has been demonstrated that balance actually begins to decline in middle age. This is also the time of life that many start searching for small improvements or hacks we can take advantage of, to protect our future health.
While the benefits of physical activity on postural stability are well-known, an intriguing study has delved into a realm often overlooked – the influence of music. In this exploration, we uncover the unique effects of preferred and non-preferred music on postural balance among middle-aged women.
The small study involved twenty-four women aged between 50 and 55 years. To evaluate both static and dynamic balance, researchers employed a stabilometric platform and the timed up and go test (TUGT), respectively. The crux of the study lay in comparing the effects of listening to preferred and non-preferred music against a no-music control condition.
Preferred Music's Dance of Stability:
The results revealed a captivating connection between preferred music and enhanced postural control. When the women listened to their preferred tunes, they performed better in both static and dynamic balance assessments, suggesting that the rhythm and melodies they liked had a harmonizing effect on their postural control.
Non-Preferred Music: A Discordant Note:
Conversely, the study revealed a discordant note when the women listened to non-preferred music. In almost all postural conditions, instability significantly increased compared to the no-music condition. This indicated a negative impact on both static and dynamic balance, emphasizing the importance of music preference in influencing balance performance.
How to Use These Findings:
If you don’t already listen to music while exercising, give it a try.
Do you dislike the tunes played at your fitness center? Now you have a good excuse to bring your own music and use headphones.
If you’re tired but have to move around, see whether listening to music you like might be possible.
If you work as a physical therapist or fitness trainer, find out about your clients’ preferred music and see what it does for their workout.
Key Takeaway:
As we navigate the complex choreography of middle age, the study suggests that the music we prefer can be a powerful ally in maintaining balance. The dance between preferred tunes and postural stability unveils a nuanced relationship, where the right notes can harmonize our movements and improve our overall well-being. This research not only highlights the importance of considering personal music preferences in therapeutic interventions but also encourages us to embrace the rhythm that resonates most with our own balance and stability. So, let the music play, and may your steps be guided by the harmonious notes of preferred melodies on this journey of graceful aging.
If you own or have access to a ZIBRIO Stability scale, you may like to experiment with these findings. If you like a variety of music genres, are some better or worse for your balance score as you take the test? Insider tip - if it makes you want to start dancing, this may affect your balance score!