Need to Feel Stronger? Listen to Music with Big Bass

We all know that music can pump you up for all kinds of needs, occasions, tasks and feats.  But if you need an extra edge, turn up the bass.  Researchers in Illinois have concluded that certain songs will make us work and exercise even harder.

First, high-power music equals high-power exercise.  That’s obvious.  But big bass levels also subconsciously raises our sense of power, giving us a little more ability to dig deep.

Examples?  Well, given that this a pretty dry academic study, the music they used was pretty unsurprising.  Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” “Get Ready for This” from 2 Unlimited, “Who Let the Dogs Out” from Baha Men (seriously?) and Fatboy Slim’s “Because We Can.”

High-power, bass-heavy music gave subjects a greater sense of power, which included the ability to perceive things in a bigger picture way, a perception of greater control in social events and the drive to be the first mover in any kind of competitive situation.

Maybe all those athletes who get their game faces on by listening to the shitty bottom-heavy sound of Beats headphones are onto something.

(Via the Daily Mail.)