Effects of perceived groove in music on cycling performance and intermuscular coherence between trunk and lower limb muscles.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of perceived groove on cycling performance and explored underlying neuromuscular control mechanisms.

Design: Repeated-measures design.

Methods: Twenty-four university students completed the cycling task under three conditions: metronome, low-groove music, and high-groove music. Each task included 3 min of low-torque and 3 min of high-torque cycling. Measurements included pedal cadence, pedal cadence variability, work output, and intermuscular coherence between the trunk and lower limbs.

Results: In low-torque cycling, pedal cadence variability was significantly lower in metronome than in low-groove music and high-groove music; coherence areas (A) in the γ band for the erector spinae and soleus were significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music (ps < 0.05). In high-torque cycling, pedal cadence was significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music and metronome, and higher in low-groove music than in metronome, pedal cadence variability was significantly lower in high-groove music and metronome than in low-groove music, and work output was significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music and metronome (ps < 0.05). The A values in the α and γ bands for the rectus abdominis and gastrocnemius lateralis and the erector spinae and gastrocnemius medialis and in the γ band for the erector spinae and gastrocnemius lateralis were significantly higher in high-groove music than in low-groove music (ps < 0.05).

Conclusions: Perceived groove during high-torque cycling increased pedal cadence and work output, potentially due to increased cortical and subcortical drive shared between trunk and lower limb muscles.