The Power of Music: Enhancing Muscle Strength in Older People

• Main Authors: Nadja van den Elzen, Vera Daman, Merel Duijkers, Kim Otte, Esmée Wijnhoven, Hans Timmerman, Marcel Olde Rikkert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-06-01
• Series: Healthcare
• Subjects: elderly; muscle power; handgrip strength; music
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/7/3/82

Sarcopenia is a major problem occurring in the aging population. Based on previous research, music appears to have a positive influence on many aspects of life, including physical performance. This led to the question of whether listening to self-selected favorite music could improve peripheral muscle strength in older people. In this crossover study, community-dwelling people aged 65 and older were included. All participants performed handgrip strength measurements in three different circumstances: while listening to their favorite music, their most disliked music, and no music at all. As the primary outcome measurement, the within-person differences in maximum handgrip strength between the three music conditions were analyzed. A total of 153 participants (aged 73.0 &#177; 6 years) were included. Listening to favorite music resulted in an increase in maximum handgrip strength of +0.87 kgf (0.54&#8722;1.21, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) compared to no music, and of +0.97 kgf (0.56&#8722;1.37, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) compared to least favorite music. Thus, listening to favorite music has a positive effect on handgrip strength in older people. Apart from its implications for scientific grip strength measurements, this effect may be used as a fun and innocent stimulant in rehabilitation and workout classes with seniors, which could be further tested in a range of older people.