The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of preferred music, nonpreferred music, and silence on measures of state anxiety, relaxation, and muscle tension. Nine subjects were selected from a pool of 90 college students after passing criteria for trait anxiety and musical experience. Each of the nine subjects was tested individually for a total of three testing sessions, using one condition (preferred music, nonpreferred music, or silence) per session. Pretests-posttests of state anxiety and relaxation were administered during each condition, and muscle tension was measured using an electromyogram. Results were calculated with a repeated measures analysis of variance and Pearson product-moment correlations. A main effect was discovered between subjects in the measure of state anxiety, as well as a difference between conditions on the measure of relaxation. It was found also that state anxiety and relaxation were correlated significantly under silence. State anxiety and EMG muscle tension were related inversely under preferred music, while other EMG correlations were associated with low correlation coefficients. Lastly, a trend appeared for preferred music to induce lesser anxiety and greater relaxation than nonpreferred music.

Music and sport are both highly significant cultural forms, yet the substantial and longstanding connections between the two have largely been overlooked. Sporting Sounds addresses this oversight in an intriguing and innovative collection of essays. With contributions from leading international psychologists, sociologists, historians, musicologists and specialists in sports and cultural studies, the book illuminates our understanding of the vital part music has played in the performance, reception and commodification of sport. It explores a fascinating range of topics and case studies, including: The use of music to enhance sporting performance Professional applications of music in sport Sporting anthems as historical commemorations Music at the Olympics Supporter rock music in Swedish sport Caribbean cricket and calypso music From local fan cultures to international mega-events, music and sport are inextricably entwined. Sporting Sounds is a stimulating and illuminating read for anybody with an interest in either of these cultural forms.