Credit: Getty
Strong Women
Best running playlists: here’s what listening to music, podcasts or nature does to your speed and endurance
By Kerry Law
3 years ago
3 min read
Whether you prefer working out to your favourite playlist, podcast or prefer running to the ambient sounds of nature, what we listen to has a surprising effect on how we exercise.
It was when my headphones died in the middle of a run that I started to struggle. My mind had been replaying a Girls Aloud video (I’d been listening to a 00s pop playlist – don’t judge me) when I was suddenly transported back to the real world with my heavy breathing and stomping feet. I was now fully aware of my movement and how tiring it felt.
Turns out, there’s a scientific explanation behind that sudden, painful crash back to earth. A 2021 study by the University of Tennessee and the University of Tehran found that any distraction from our bodies – be it aural, mental or visual – made running feel easier and improved performance.
A weekly dose of expert-backed tips on everything from gut health to running.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.